Service VME - Hole in Shifter Boot

When servicing the vehicle with the VIN you entered, the following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the described symptoms.

Beginning with VIN 2F172433, there was a running change in the 2002 Model Year to improve the vinyl shift boot located in the floor console of all Grand Prixs. A new improved vinyl material with a single-stitched seam only on the rear side of the boot, along with a small hole pierced about 10 mm (0.4 in) to the left of the seam. With the transmission shifter in the Park position, if you look down on the shift boot while seated in the driver position, you will see this small hole directly across from the number 2 position on the shifter. The reason for this change was to divert liquid spills like cola, coffee, etc. away from the shifting mechanism and the Brake Transmission Interlock Solenoid which is located under the shift boot and forward of the shift lever. Fluid contamination of the shifter mechanism can cause intermittent operation of these components. Some of the new shifter boots are being replaced because the customers/dealerships think the small hole is a defect in the material. The customers eyes could be drawn to the hole if the white backing material is visible through the hole. This condition could be easily corrected by touching up the white material from the top side with a black permanent marker rather than replacing the shifter boot. At a recent warranty parts review, some dealerships had replaced the entire shifter and shifter boot because of the hole in the shifter boot. Please make sure your dealerships are not replacing the vinyl shifter boots because of this hole.

Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed. If these steps do not resolve the condition, please contact GM TAC for further diagnostic assistance. This diagnostic approach was developed for the vehicle with the VIN you entered and should not be automatically be used for other vehicles with similar symptoms.