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On many newer cars there is a locking mechanism that prevents the shifter from being taken out of the PARK position if the brake is not depressed. This may be the problem. On vehicles that have this there is usually an override mechanism (usually some recessed button on the shift console) that can be pressed to release the shifter. It should be mentioned in the users manual. The image below shows the locking mechanism (16). I have read that there is a small cap on the shifter body you can remove and under it is a button you press to release the shifter. This will work until you can affect repairs.
Make sure you haven't toggled the shifter into no overdrive mode. There may be a button on your shifter that is easily pressed, generally on the side and below the pommel.
FIRST make sure that your shifter is all the way up into the PARK position. Then make sure that the button on the shifter is not sticking. This button operates a switch that energizes a solenoid to keep the key from returning all the way back to the OFF position. If the button is stuck in, sometimes it can be released by tapping on the shift lever. This is a VERY COMMON problem.
Below is a link to a video that explains what I am talking about here.
Put park brake on or block wheels, and shift into neutral (if possible), If not go to tranny and pop the cable off the tranny lever (pry off with screwdriver). Turn tranny shift lever, until it clicks twice, leave here for later adjustment. Follow the cable to the adjuster, pull out the flat steel retainer clip, pinch the sides to remove cable from bracket. Remove upper covers below the steering wheel. Remove kick panel below steering colomn. Remove cable from steering wheel shifter assembly (pry off and remove clip same as at tranny). Remove the side kick panel and follow cable along floor. You may find it easier to remove the driver seat (4 nuts on floor and wiring). Pull cable thru floor and replace. Reverse procedure to install. Lock the cable and clip at steering colomn, but leave the clip off at tranny. The tranny should still be in neutral. Now turn key to run and shift the shifter into neutral. At the tranny side cable there is a white square button, press in and lock cable to lever. install retainer clip. move shifter thru ranges and ensure it locks in park. Readjust if needed by pressing button and moving shifter lever on tranny.
a possible problem with the floor shift is that there is a plastic pin at the bottom of the shifter, it will break and the vehicle will not go into park, and you cant remove the key. some cars have a button, usually on the top of the plastic panel below the shifter knob. you may have to pull a tab off of it. theres not really a quick fix for it. one way to check to make sure it is that is if the tab that you push in. it should spring out, if it doesnt, that is usually the problem., then you have to replace the shifter and the unit below that pulls the cable
I'm thinking this is an interior problem. Dirt ETC.. can build up around the shifter, you can pop the panel below the shifter up with a screwdriver. Clean this panel up and lube up the linkage below and you should be good to go.
replace the shifter assembly.I replace alot of them.use this bulletin as a reference.Subject: Various Concerns With Shifter and/or Ignition Key (Replace Shifter Assembly/Shifter Components or Ignition Lock Cylinder )
Some customers may comment on any of the following concerns:
• The shifter is hard to move or binds.
• They cannot remove the ignition key.
• It takes high effort to rotate the key.
Cause 1 The shifter button may be sticking in the handle.
Cause 2
The pin that activates the micro-switch may have moved out of position (refer to illustration above). This causes the micro-switch to fail to engage when the vehicle is placed in Park. If this condition is present, the customer will not be able to remove the key from the ignition.
The illustration above shows the switch in a correct position.
Cause 3 Metal flashing left in the cylinder may cause a high effort to rotate the key.
Cause 4 The slider may be binding in the guides. This may cause the shifter to become difficult to operate.
Correction 1 Verify that the shifter button is inoperative by evaluating if the park pawl pin on the shifter assembly moves when activating the button. If the parking pawl does not move when the button is activated, the shifter handle will have to be replaced. Refer to Floor Shifter Control Knob Replacement in SI.
Correction 2 Important: A change has been made to the shifter assembly for service. The replacement shifter assembly will read PRNDIL (Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Intermediate and Low).
Verify that the micro switch is out of position. Replace the shifter assembly. Refer to Transmission Control Replacement in SI.
Correction 3 Important: Refer to instruction sheet that is supplied with the lock cylinder kit. BO 47869 is an essential staking tool and must be used for the repair.
Replace the ignition lock cylinder. Refer to Ignition Lock Cylinder Replacement in SI.
Correction 4 Replace the slide indicator and guides in the shifter following the procedure below:
Apply the parking brake. Remove the upper console trim. Refer to Trim Plate Replacement-Console Front in SI. Remove shifter knob. Refer to Floor Shifter Control Knob Replacement in SI. Remove the indicator plate. Use a flat-bladed screwdriver to release the locking tabs. Remove the shifter indicator lens. Pull up on the indicator and remove it from the assembly. Remove the two front rails by unsnapping the front and lifting up, and then back, to remove the rails from the shifter assembly. Install the new guides. Place the hook end into the assembly and push down. It will snap into place. Install the new slide indicator. With the transmission in neutral, place the slide over the shifter and into the guides. Move the slide indicator down the guides in the front and rear. Important: Replace the shifter indicator lens if damage is present due to the slider binding or if it becomes damaged during disassembly.
Install the shift indicator lens. Install the shift indicator plate. Install the shifter knob. Refer to Floor Shifter Control Knob Replacement in SI. Install the upper console trim. Refer to Trim Plate Replacement-Console Front in SI. post back with what you find.
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