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🚨 1999 Mitsubishi GTO: Emergency Neutral

The 1999 GTO (3000GT in North America) uses a floor-mounted console shifter with electronic shift interlock.

Expert-verified by Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — master technicians, 20+ years each.
⚠️ Chock the wheels first — neutral means the car can roll. Set the parking brake while you work, never stand downhill of the vehicle, and try a 12-volt jump before any override: power fixes most stuck-in-park problems instantly.

The procedure

  1. Set the parking brake firmly and chock the wheels
  2. Turn the ignition to ACC or ON position if battery has any charge
  3. Locate the shift lock override—look for a small slot or access point near the shifter base, typically on the left side or front-left of the shifter console
  4. Remove any covering cap or trim piece if present
  5. Insert a small flathead screwdriver or similar tool into the override slot and press down or push forward (direction varies by exact configuration)
  6. While holding the override release, press the brake pedal (if power available) and move the shifter from Park to Neutral
  7. If no brake function, continue holding the override and pull the shifter to Neutral
Shift-lock override location
Near the shifter base on the console, typically on the left side or front-left area; may require removing a small cap or trim piece
With zero electrical power
The shift lock override is mechanically operated and does not require electrical power to function. With a completely dead battery, you can still access and use the override to release the shifter from Park. The override mechanism itself is spring-loaded and mechanical.
📖 Why cars lock in Park (full guide)🔧 All repair data for this GTO🚨 Still stuck? Ask a master tech →