Why does the Buick Regal prompt that it is not in P gear after shifting to P gear?
2 Answers
Buick Regal prompts that it is not in P gear after shifting to P gear because the gear is not fully engaged. Simply re-shift the gear. When shifting to P gear, it is important to note that you should not force the gear lever if it does not engage easily, as this can cause damage to the vehicle. Shifting to reverse gear before the car comes to a complete stop can also damage the gears. When parking the car, do not shift to P gear while the engine is running. Additionally, when shifting to P gear, you should first apply the handbrake and then shift to the parking gear (P gear), so that the force is applied to the handbrake rather than the P gear. Precautions for shifting to P gear: Stationary shifting: Before shifting to P gear from any other gear, the vehicle must be completely stopped. Otherwise, it may damage the locking mechanism inside the transmission and the gear shift switch. Apply the handbrake first: If parking on a slope, you must apply the handbrake before shifting to P gear. P gear is similar to locking the gear in manual transmission vehicles and is not the primary braking method but serves as an auxiliary brake. There is a certain gap between the locking pawl inside the transmission and the outer ring of the output gear. If the car slides on a slope, the gear and the pawl will collide strongly. Unlocking method: Normally, an automatic transmission car can only move the P gear to other gears after the key is turned to the power-on position. If you encounter a fault and cannot disengage from P gear, you can press the SHIFTLOCK button on the gear console with a thin, hard object like a needle to move the gear lever from P gear to other gears. Neutral gear shutdown: Shutting off the engine in P gear may cause slight vibrations, but the impact on the transmission locking mechanism is minimal. You can shut off the engine and park the car in either P gear or N gear.
I think if the Buick Regal still prompts that the gear isn't properly engaged after shifting to P, it's most likely an issue with the gear position sensor. That sensor is located near the transmission, responsible for detecting whether the gear is fully engaged, but Buick's design sometimes places it in a low position, making it prone to dust accumulation or water ingress, causing malfunction and sending false signals to the computer. It could also be the transmission control module acting up—if that electronic component freezes or runs on outdated software, it might mistakenly think the gear isn't engaged. Additionally, a loose wiring connector or a faulty brake pedal switch could be the culprit, since engaging P usually requires pressing the brake, and if the switch isn't working properly, it triggers the alarm. I've experienced a similar situation myself—the car would beep incessantly upon starting, which was really annoying. My suggestion is to try some simple fixes first: turn off the engine, wait a few minutes, then restart to see if the system resets; or shift gears multiple times to observe any changes. Regularly maintain the transmission fluid and keep the sensor area clean to prevent dust buildup. If the problem persists, it's best to visit a professional repair shop immediately, as delaying could damage the transmission, and in severe cases, the car might even slip, posing a safety risk.
