How to select Neutral when the engine won't start?

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G-Frog

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I live in an apartment building and had just finished washing my 2021 Yukon in the wash bay. When I went to start it, the fuel pump primed for a few seconds as usual, when I pressed the start button the starter engaged and the engine turned over for about 10 seconds until I pushed the start button again to stop the starter.

I tried a different FOB just in case it no longer recognized my FOB. That didn't work either.

I disconnected the battery for 10 minutes in hopes of resetting the computer and clearing any issues. That didn't work either. Nothing I could do would make it start.

I called the 24/7 GM Roadside Assistance who sent two different Tow companies who didn't know how to put it in Neutral and pull it out of the basement parking garage. I gave up on Roadside Assistance and will wait until Monday for the dealership to open. Maybe they know how to do this.

Do any of you know how to select neural when the engine is not running? Also, how would one steer the electric power steering without the engine running?

Thanks.
 

Brandon2489

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Look in your owners manual for shift interlock. Should tell you how to get it into neutral.
 

Brandon2489

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Couldn't find the shift interlock control but it does look like you have roadside assistance for the duration of the warranty. They cover jump starts. Items listed are 24/7. The number to call is on that page.
 
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G-Frog

G-Frog

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Couldn't find the shift interlock control but it does look like you have roadside assistance for the duration of the warranty. They cover jump starts. Items listed are 24/7. The number to call is on that page.
Thank you for the input Brandon.

I already called Roadside and they sent two towing companies who gave up trying. They didn't know how to place it in Neutral and they didn't fit in the parking garage anyway.

My battery is still almost fully charged. It's a not a battery issue, nor a fuel pump issue because I can hear it charge. The engine turns-over when the starter button is pushed once and it keeps trying to start the engine until you push the button again to stop the starter. The engine will just not start. It is as if trying to start an engine that is out of fuel or has no spark being generated at the plugs.

The pre- 2021 models with a shift lever would let you placed is in Neutral and unlock the steering if you held the start button for about 15 seconds. I have tried this and it didn't work.

The pictures show where it is parked in the basement parking garage. Once the towing guys figure out how to place it in Neutral and steer it, they will need to pull it out of the parking garage all the way outside (~300 ft) and load it on a flat bed.

Hopefully they can do this without damaging it.
 

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Brandon2489

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I see. Like I said you should have tow assistance 24/7 from gm while your warranty is still in effect. The number is on the page I posted.
 
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G-Frog

G-Frog

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If I had to guess the problem though it would be this.
We'll see what the dealership says tomorrow if they can get it out of the garage. ;)

I'll keep you guys informed; especially once I see how they place it in Neutral without the engine running.
 
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The pre- 2021 models with a shift lever would let you placed is in Neutral and unlock the steering if you held the start button for about 15 seconds. I have tried this and it didn't work.
Just a thought, did you have your foot on the brake when trying this? Most cars won't shift out of park unless brake is pressed
 
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G-Frog

G-Frog

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Just a thought, did you have your foot on the brake when trying this? Most cars won't shift out of park unless brake is pressed
That is a good question... I didn't have my foot on the brake for the initial 15 seconds because I didn't want the starter to turn-over. I honestly cant remember if I put my foot on the brake or not to place it in Neutral. I would assume so, but I'm not 100% certain. There was an alert that said something about "conditions not met to shift"

One thing I found in the manual is about dinghy towing which says that the transmission should be in 4 low and in neutral. However, they do it with the engine running.
Dinghy Towing.png

We'll see what they do tomorrow.

Thank for the input though.
 

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