Transmission will not go into park

Tiny
JHICKS
  • MEMBER
  • CHEVROLET
1998 S10 pickup two wheel drive with a four cylinder engine automatic 88,000 miles. Truck will not set in park and will only start in neutral. The problem just started all of a sudden, I stopped for gas truck was fine got back in and went to crank and it would not crank. When you put the truck in park, the P in the dash does not light up and the truck will roll and you do not have to press the brake to move the gear shifter. I have to put the truck in neutral to crank it.
Monday, August 7th, 2006 AT 3:52 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
MIKEYBDMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 623 POSTS
It sounds like the shift cable is coming apart and not able to fully shift the transmission into park. Here is a diagram of the shift cable so you can check it out. (below) you will need to raise the car up safely:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers
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Monday, August 7th, 2006 AT 3:58 PM
Tiny
ICHEY103
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
You guys nailed it! I replaced the cable and the truck works perfect. I love this site. :)
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Saturday, February 6th, 2010 AT 9:20 AM
Tiny
MARCO_38
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have the same problem with a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado four wheel drive pickup. It fixed my problem as well. 2CarPros kicks butt.
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Monday, March 8th, 2010 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
MR62BUICK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I would try adjusting the cable. The transmission is the only part that allows the transmission to go into park, if the linkage is not adjusted properly (to tight of tolerances) then it cannot travel into park. Put the truck in neutral with e-brake on. Is the needle on the dash in the center of the "N"? If it is not, then you have to crawl under the vehicle, and loosen a nut on the linkage. That is the adjustment side. Put the vehicle into park if you can with the nut loose and the shifter in park. When both are in park, then tighten the jamb nut and then try to shift normally. If works, great, if not, go to transmission shop. This is a GM product and I rarely see any issues with this type of vehicle.
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Thursday, November 18th, 2010 AT 2:37 AM
Tiny
BLAIR67
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I brought a 2000 Blazer and it would not go into park. Its shifter is on column and I pulled the rubber boot back and pieces of a small spring came out. It is where my problem is I believe.
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Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017 AT 2:29 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
The best way to tell is to disconnect the shaft cable from the transmission (parking brake on) and see if the if you can put it in park, this will help you see if it is the cable/shifter or the transmission.

You will need to lift the car, here is how to do it safely:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, August 24th, 2017 AT 11:25 AM

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