7AT: Heavy Resistance going From P to R
 

I've been experiencing this ever since I bought the car. It doesn't happen all the time. I would guess 1 out of 10 times when going from Park to Reverse, the shifter feels like it's stuck, and with some force it makes a loud clunk when going out of P. This issue happens only when going from P to R. It happens in all conditions, cold starts, hot starts. I tried to capture it on video. Will post it soon.

Anybody else experienced this?

Are you on a hill? Does it happen from D to R? If your on a slight incline I can see your Tranny locking up when trying to get it out of park. Use the emergency brake when parking so you dont put that strain on your tranny.

Yeah I get it too when I'm on a hill. Only from p to r.

It only happens when going from P to R. It doesnt matter if Im on leveled ground or on an incline.

Here is a video I captured the other day. It's the sound on the very first shift only.

I noticed on the video, my e-brake is up. Could this be the cause?

Since I don't have an AT, I'm guessing, but don't you have to have the brake depressed before you can shift into gear? Maybe the lock is not releasing completely?

yup same thing happens to my auto from park to drive or reverse. i just live with it.

I bet you guys aren't using your e-brake

And by the way it doesn't happen to me

I don't use my e-brake and I've never had that happen. Sure doesn't seem right

I always use e-brake but have never had that happen.

I always use the e-brake and have never had an issue.
I would guess the linkage made need adjusting or grease?

i have noticed this same thing. Parked flat in the garage, Brake Depressed, Hand brake on or off, sorta 'pops' into Reverse with a noise... only sometimes - not every time.

I use my E-brake and it happens to me.

same issue... I've found it comes from the drivetrain storing residual energy from driving. When you come to your destination, put the car in neutral, let off brakes, (notice car roll forward), reapply brake, e-brake up, PARK. No clunk on leaving.

Happens to me as well on inclines. If you put it in R first, then disengage the e-brake it doesnt happen.

Happens to me all the time incline or not

:tiphat:
In this forum there are a lot of people with mechanical knowlege: like texas viking

To get rid of this clunky operation park the car always with this procedure:

Drive -> Park instruction
1. stop the car
2. pull the handbrake that it is locked well (do it not like a girl)
3. switch to neutral "N"
4. switch fast to park mode "P" (no time to power rear again)
5. ignition off

This is the only way to do but anyway:
Park -> Drive instruction
1. start the engine.
2. switch from "P" to "D" or "R"
3. open the handbrake
4. bye bye

The problem occurs if you pull the handbrake in "D" or "R" then the drive shaft is under torque and a litle metal bolt locks the "gears" in "P" too fast. But there is a little loose in the drive-shaft to the rear diff. So if the engine is off you have a "negative" torque on the bolt....clunk ...frrom "P" to anything else in the gear box if you want to go away. Suspension and normal brakeing store also energy (low pitch angle). Switch to "P" and this energie comes back to the drivetrain if you open the normal brake padel. I think its more the last one then the loose in the drive shaft

Normaly this have all AT gearboxes on the descant ..the Z has this because the lock bolt is not electronic driven, i think its mechanical driven by the button.. May you have to hold the button longer in "P" but i didnt try this because of the ugly mechanical noise :tup:

_ P
_ R
+_N
M_D
-

hope this was helpfull for the AT drivers.. and along life for this amazing gearbox

P.S: For the winter snow drivers this handbrake operation is bad if you dont move the care for some months and there is some salt with water in the handbrake drums before ..they will maybe lock for ever.. so store the car only on a flat surface and open the handbrake ! Or heat it up before stop by pulling the handbrake in winter times a littel bit.

yup happens on all auto cars normally if you throw it into park immediately after you stop and dont use the hand break (on a sloped surface) shoudlnt really happen on a completely flat surface.

Interesting. Though I haven't noticed your exact issue, I have noticed my car tries to move forward a little bit after I put it in park. I bet it's related. I'm going to try the recommendation ZeeYouLater recommends and see if that helps. Good Luck!

Had that same issue and the dealer replaced it under warranty at 10,000 miles and now at 34,000 this one is starting to act up again.