Questions and Answers

Geo Blows A Fuse Q. I have 1996 Geo Metro, with automatic transmission. I believe the engine size is 3.2 liter and the mileage is well over 120,000. The car is fuel injected with no ABS, no P/S, no cruise control. The car has A/C, however it is not working.

My question and problem is this: When I take the car out of PARK and into DRIVE, REVERSE, or NEUTRAL, everything is fine. However, when I put the car back into PARK, the gear locks up and cannot switch. I noticed that when I take the car out of PARK a fuse blows. Please tell me what is causing this fuse to blow. I am able to DRIVE the car as long as I do not have to stop and put the car in PARK. After that I would have to change the fuse.

A. A Geo Metro with a 3.2? WOW!! the thing must fly! But I think it's more likely the 1.0 liter 3 cylinder engine.

Regardless, the problem could be in the shift interlock system. This is the system that requires you to step on the brake before you can shift out of PARK.

The reason any fuse blows is because there is a short circuit in the system. Since the short can be anywhere it is very difficult for me to suggest where it might be. Personally, I would guess if it's in the shift interlock system, it's probably the shift lock solenoid itself. It is located inside the center console, under the gear shift selector.

Another possibility is that there is a short in the back up lights. The back up lights work off the same fuse and when you shift from PARK to DRIVE or DRIVE to PARK, the circuit is momentarily activated. When it does, that may be what's blowing the fuse. This would be the first thing I would check. Try replacing both back up light bulbs first.

Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA