Shifter not wanting to shift

[beachbum86]

I just went out to get dinner and when i got back the shifter would not go past nuetral. I can shift between Drive and Nuetral, and thats it. The crappy thing is I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to get under the car tonight when I get off and its raining and dark. Not fun!!

It seems to be doing this only when I'm on a hill. If the lot is level, then it will go into park (with force). It started this last weekend when I was out at the lake and it didnt want to go into park when i backed on to a hill. If I backed up further and got on to flat ground then it was fine. Now I can not get it at all.

What can I do with this &@#$ing thing???

[Joe 1320]

Shifter cable is bad.

[beachbum86]

Shifter cable is bad.

If thats the case, then how hard is it to replace.

Why would it only do it on a hill (more specifically, when I'm backed in and facing up the hill)?

Thanks for the help guys!!

Frank

[Joe 1320]

It could be the shifter cable is split and only hangs up at a certain angle. It's easy to replace. The external shift arm of the transmission is on the driver's side and from underneath, you can clearly see the cable and the attachment to the arm. The other end goes up into the floorboard and eventually to the shifter. You should be able to disconnect the cable from the trans and operate the arm manually. If not, there may be an internal problem.

[fastTa]

Just a few extra thoughts. Have you checked the actual gear selector assembly itself. I had a penny wedge itself in between the shifter one time that caused my gear selector to do the same thing yours was.

Also while your there, make sure the brake release solenoid is not hanging up and make sure it is working properly. Sometimes this part can fail and cause the selector to hang up.

[beachbum86]

I'm hopin that its not an internal problem. If its just the cable then I guess I'll get on that tomorrow. I know theres a way to disable the function that lets the thing shift with out the key but I can't remember. Do any of you know what I'm talkin about and how do I do that.

Is there a quick fix for this that I can do when I get home. I need my keys to get in to my barracks building and room plus I don't want to leave the keys in there over night (no security).

Thanks again guys

Frank

[beachbum86]

Just a few extra thoughts. Have you checked the actual gear selector assembly itself. I had a penny wedge itself in between the shifter one time that caused my gear selector to do the same thing yours was.

That might be the problem. I use my ashtray as a "change cup" and its over flowing. I'll check it out...

Thanks Man!!

Frank

[fastTa]

That might be the problem. I use my ashtray as a "change cup" and its over flowing. I'll check it out...

Thanks Man!!

Frank

That's exactly how mine got there.

[beachbum86]

On my other Firebird ('84 auto, V6) my buddy showed me how to disable the locking mechanism in the shit console so I could move the shifter without needing the key. But I can't remember how to do that for the life of me.

Its most likley a coin got in there and is messing with it. I hope thats the issue. I really don't want to tear into the thing tonight with out a grage or light.

Fun times I guess huh???

Frank

[beachbum86]

Ok... I just got off work and decided to try to do something with this darn shifter issue. I was able to get the center console cover up (had to fight it) but I couldn't get the shift lever off. I noticed that there was some kind of retaining clip or something of that nature holding it on but it didn't want to come off. So I couldn't get a hand down in there enough to see if any of the spare change floating in there to be binding up the shifter. Plus the fact that its dark probably doesn't help either.

As far as it only doing this on hills... I must take that back. My parking lot is flat and it still wouldn't go into reverse let alone park. Hopefully I'll be able to examine a little more closely to see whats going on there. I don't have a jack (nor do anyone around the barracks) to lift the car high enough for me to get under it. We ALL know how low these things are.

Although... I think I pulled out around $15 in change from my ashtray and the immediate surrounding area

I hate not having another car so that I can do something if I can't fix this problem.

[beachbum86]

Found The Problem

Well I pulled it all apart this morning and found the issue. It turns out that the actual knob itself has gone bad. The button on the side of the knob was not engaging the linkage thus preventing it from shifting. Thank God thats all it was. Now I have the pleasure of either getting a new one form GM or getting one of those ugly "ricer" ones from autozone (no offence to anyone who has one though).

Thanks for the help guys.
Have a Happy turkey day and enjoy the good times!!!

[beachbum86]

What Next???

OK... I have determined what the culpret was. I went to GM Direct's website and they did not have the shift knob. I also checked out "Hawks third gen parts," and they did not have one. Are there any other sites that I can go to in hopes of getting one of the stock shifter knobs? Anyone???



I would Like to avoid a cheasy one from the stores...

[Benm109]

Try calling or e-mailing Hawks, they have a good number of parts cars just sitting outside at there shop. They don't usually list their used parts online, for some reason. I bet they have a used one in good condition on at least one of their cars.

[beachbum86]

Try calling or e-mailing Hawks, they have a good number of parts cars just sitting outside at there shop. They don't usually list their used parts online, for some reason. I bet they have a used one in good condition on at least one of their cars.

Thanks man.... I just emailed them so I guess its down to the game. I'll post up what happened. Hopefully they have a few layin around...

[fastTa]

I've got the old gear selector t-handle off of my 97 TA WS6. I don't need it anymore and it is in good shape.

Not sure what is worth though. I'll send you a PM.