Shifting issues will not shift out of park

DQ HANNAH

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET CAPRICE
4.3L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
83,500 MILES

Bought this car off of a mechanic friend. It sat for a couple years. The first issue is the shifting needle isn’t aligned with the gears on the dash. I also have trouble getting the shifter to enhance park. It takes me three of four tries before I get it. It shift into gears perfect while cruising so I don’t think the transmission is going bad. I can shift into drive, overdrive, neutral and reverse fine but not park.

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1 Reply

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good afternoon,

This sounds like the shifter cable itself between the gear shifter and the transmission.

Check the shift linkage first at the transmission to be sure it is secure.

Roy.

Procedure.

Remove or Disconnect

1. Place transmission control lever in neutral gate notch.
2. Retainer (804), washer (803), bearing (802) and insulator (801).
3. Rod (820) from steering column (805).
4. Raise and suitably support vehicle.
5. Rod (820) from equalizer lever (819).
- Remove swivel bolt/screw (816), washer (817) and swivel (818).
6. Equalizer lever (819).
A. Remove retainer (808) and disconnect from lever (807).
B. Insulator (814), washer (810), spring (815).
7. Bracket bolts/screws (811).
8. Bracket (812).
9. Nut (809).
10. Selector lever (807).

Install or Connect

NOTICE: Always use the correct fastener in the proper location. When you replace a fastener, use ONLY the exact part number for that application. General Motors will call out those fasteners that require a replacement after removal. General Motors will also call out the fasteners that require thread lockers or thread sealant. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, do not use supplemental coatings (paints, greases, or other corrosion inhibitors) on threaded fasteners or fastener joint interfaces. Generally, such coatings adversely affect the fastener torque and the joint clamping force, and may damage the fastener. When you install fasteners, use the correct tightening sequence and specifications. Following these instructions can help you avoid damage to parts and systems.

1. Selector lever (807) to stud.
2. Nut (809).

Tighten
- Nut (809) to 27 Nm (20 lb. Ft.).

3. Bracket (812) to frame (813).
4. Bracket bolts/screws (811).

Tighten
- Bracket bolts/screws (811) to 21 Nm (16 lb. Ft.).

5. Spring (815), washer (810) and insulator (814) to equalizer lever (819).
- Install equalizer lever (819) to bracket (812).
6. Equalizer lever (819) to selector lever (807) and secure with retainer (808).
- Make sure transmission is in neutral.
7. Swivel (818), washer (817) and swivel bolt/screw (816) to rod (820).
- Do not tighten at this time.
8. Rod (820) through bracket on steering column (805).
- Attach insulator (80 l ), bearing (802), washer (803) and retainer (804) to rod (820).
9. Lower vehicle.
10. Adjust floor shift control linkage if necessary.

Refer to See: Shift Linkage, A/T > Adjustments

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