Gear shift stick is loose from the steering column. It will not shift out of park. What do I need to look to repair?

Does the vehicle start an run ?Can you turn the key to the off position ? And the key won't come out ? Did you try some key graphite ( lube ) ? New lock cylinder need maybe . Or is it a problem with
Steering Column Electric Park Lock
If the vehicle is equipped with a floor-mounted console gear shifter, an added safety feature is an steering column electric park lock system in the steering column. The steering column electric park lock system prevents the steering wheel from being locked when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle may be moving. The column ignition lock system consists of a steering column electric park lock and a park position switch, that is located in the A/T shift lock control switch. The steering column electric park lock contains a spring-loaded pin that mechanically prevents the ignition key cylinder from being turned to the Lock position when the transmission is not in the Park position. If vehicle power is lost or the transmission is not in the Park position, the operator will not be able to turn the ignition key to the Lock position and will not be able to remove the ignition key from the column.

Do you have column or floor shifter ?
All automatic transaxle models use an electric park lock system. Within the housing assembly, a lock cylinder is connected to an actuator which rotates and engages on the electric park lock solenoid. When the floor-shift lever is not in the park position, the actuator disengages from the electric park lock solenoid slider. This allows the lock cylinder to move to the lock position. With the shift lever in PARK and the lock cylinder in LOCK, the actuator cam is positioned against the electric park lock solenoid slider. This prevents the shift lever from shifting out of the PARK position.
The column-shift automatic transaxle model uses a flexible cable actuator instead of an electric park lock system. One end of the cable is attached to the gate assembly. The other end of the cable is attached to the column mounted housing assembly. This system functions similarly to the floor-shift ignition lock system.
The manual transaxle model uses a push button lock cylinder. A clutch start switch is used. The clutch pedal must be pressed before the engine will crank. Refer to Park Lock System Check .
CAN you turn the key on ?
The gear selector does not shift out of PARK with the brake pedal depressed and the ignition switch in RUN.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Always On with Ignition in Run
Action
Value(s)
Yes
No

1

Was the BTSI System Check performed?
--
Go to Step 2
Go to Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control System Check

2

Is this a column shift vehicle?
--
Go to Step 3 yes
Go to Step 4 no

3

1. Move the gear selector to the PARK position.
2. Disconnect the automatic transaxle control connector
3. Turn the ignition switch to RUN.
4. Connect the test lamp between terminal B and ground.

Does the test lamp light?
--
Go to Step 4
Go to Step 8

4

1. Disconnect the brake switch connector C2.
2. Move the ignition switch to RUN.

Can you shift the transaxle out of the PARK position?
--
Go to Step 5
Go to Step 8

5

Is the brake switch adjusted properly?
--
Go to Step 6
Go to Step 7

6

Replace the brake switch.
Is the repair complete?
--
System OK
--

7

Adjust the brake switch.
Is the repair complete?
--
System OK
--

8

1. Disconnect the BTSI solenoid connector (column shift vehicles) or disconnect the automatic transaxle control connector (console shift vehicles).
2. Move the ignition switch to RUN.

Can you shift the transaxle out of the PARK position?
--
Go to Step 9
Go to Step 10

9

Repair the short to power in CKT 1135.
Is the repair complete?
--
System OK
--

10

Test for sticking or binding in the shift linkage.
Does the shift linkage stick or bind?
--
Go to Step 11
Go to Step 12

11

Repair the shift linkage.
Is the repair complete?
--
System OK
--

12

Replace the BTSI solenoid (column shift vehicles) or replace the automatic transaxle control (console shift vehicles).
Is the repair complete?
--
System OK
Go to Step 1

Shift cable starts in the steering column and runs down to the shift lever on the tranny. The sleeve that the cable runs thru can break or come loose. It has to be attached and secured along its line or else it will just flex instead of pushing and pulling the shift lever underneath. After checking that, make sure the support bracket at the steering column end is tight. over years of moving that lever up and down, it loosens the bolts of the support. This makes the lever feel loose and usually throws the red gear marker off of the lettering. There is a thin thread in the column with a thumb screw or dial that turns to adjust the marker to line up on the letters or numbers. If that shift cable is not perfectly aligned , you could be putting a lot of strain on your transmission. The fluid passages are small, and if the are not lining up 100% in each gear, you will wear it out. You will see a steady decrease in acceleration and power. Good luck.

its your neutral safety switch

Disassembly of the column to get to the shift lever connection includes removing the air bag. Because there is a real hazard involved, this is not a job for the DIYer.

Gday mate,geoff here, now on your shifter if column shift there is an adjustment where it goes down the box from the steering column under the hood and if stick shift should be just under the console, alternitiveley the rubber grommets on the linkage are worn and need replacement, some fuel hose will surfice here if the grommets are unavailable at the parts counter, hope this helped, geoff.

It sounds like the shift tube bushings are worn out. There are usually 2 u shaped clamps that have nylon bushings that hold the shift tube to the steering clumn. If loose, that throws off the shift position, could be btween 2 gears at once, and throws off the park - neutral safety switch. Fix that first.


Item Part Number Description 1 14A664 Air Bag Sliding Contact 2 3530 Upper Steering Column Shroud 3 3518 Steering Column Bearing Sleeve 4 3517 Steering Column Bearing 5 3511 Steering Column Lock Cylinder Housing 6 13K359 Multi-Function Switch 7 N808114 Pin 8 N805857 Steering Column Release Lever Pin 9 3D544 Steering Column Release Lever 10 3F609 Tilt Wheel Handle and Shank 11 7361 Column Shift Selector Lever Plunger 12 7210 Gearshift Lever 13 3D657 Steering Column Shaft 14 7B071 Transmission Control Selector Lever Plunger Spring 15 7G357 Gearshift Lever Pin 16 7212 Transmission Column Shift Selector Tube 17 N806582 Tilt Column Pivot Screw 18 7C464 Transmission Control Selector Lever Spring Clip 19 7E400 Gearshift Tube Bushing Clamp 20 - Spacer (Fixed Column) 21 3E729 Steering Shaft (Fixed Column) 22 3F527 Lever Assembly (Manual Transmission) 23 3F530 Pin (Manual Transmission) 24 3F752 Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid 25 7335 Gearshift Lever Socket Bushing 26 7A216 Transmission Shift Selector Position Insert 27 7302 Transmission Selector Lever Arm and Support 28 7E395 Shift Cable and Bracket 29 7210 Gearshift Lever 30 3E691 Steering Column Shift Lock Pawl 31 7W441 Gearshift Lever Pin 32 3676 Steering Column Instrument Panel Bracket 33 3D681 Steering Column Lower Bearing Retainer 34 3517 Steering Column Bearing Sleeve 35 3L539 Steering Column Bearing Tolerance Ring 36 3C674 Steering Column Lower Bearing Spring 37 3C131 Sensor Ring 38 3518 Steering Column Bearing 39 N806423-S56 Steering Column Retaining Nuts 40 14A163 Wiring Harness Retainer 41 3F723 Steering Actuator Housing 42 3B663 Steering Column Lock Lever Pin 43 11572 Ignition Switch 44 3D655 Steering Column Position Spring 45 3D653 Steering Column Locking Lever (LH) 46 3B768 Steering Column Position Lock Spring 47 3B662 Steering Column Locking Lever (RH) 48 3E715 Lower Steering Column Lock Actuator 49 3E696 Steering Column Lock Spring 50 3E691 Steering Column Shaft Lock Pawl 51 3E723 Upper Steering Column Lock Lever Actuator 52 3E695 Steering Column Lock Cam 53 3D656 Steering Column Tilt Flange Bumper 54 14A163 Wiring Harness Retainer 55 391727-S304 Shroud Screws 56 3530 Steering Column Shroud 57 3E717 Steering Column Lock Gear 58 3E700 Steering Column Lock Housing Bearing 59 3C610 Bearing Retainer 60 11582 Ignition Switch Lock Cylinder 61 3L539 Steering Column Tolerance Ring 62 3520 Steering Column Upper Bearing Spring 63 3C610 Snap Ring

your problem with the gear selector is in the item 25 these are 2 plastic bushings that wear out and cause the gear selector feels loose, you should also check the item 27 this item has one or two screws loose and cause the gear selector feels loose



Item Part Number Description 10 3F609 Tilt Wheel Handle and Shank 11 7361 Column Shift Selector Lever Plunger 12 7210 Gearshift Lever 13 3D657 Steering Column Shaft 14 7B071 Transmission Control Selector Lever Plunger Spring 15 7G357 Gearshift Lever Pin 16 7212 Shift Tube 17 N806582 Tilt Column Pivot Screw 18 7C464 Transmission Control Selector Lever Spring Clip 19 7E400 Gearshift Tube Bushing Clamp 20 - Spacer (Fixed Column) 21 3E729 Steering Shaft (Fixed Column) 22 3F527 Lever Assembly (Manual Transmission) 23 3F530 Pin (Manual Transmission) 24 3F752 Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid 25 7335 Gearshift Lever Socket Bushing 26 7A216 Transmission Shift Selector Position Insert 27 7302 Transmission Selector Lever Arm and Support 28 7E395 Shift Cable and Bracket 29 7210 Gearshift Lever 30 3E691 Steering Column Lock Pawl

There is a small cable attached to the shift lever that runs up to the ignition switch on the steering column. If it gets stuck, your shift lever won't move out of park and your key can get stuck and you won't be able to pull it out.

Drop the steering column down and detach the cable to free up your shifter and/or key. Make sure to replace it as soon as possible as it is a safety feature.

the steering wheel lock mechanism is prob the problem.....try to jiggle the steering wheel back and forth and work the shifter at same time..if it releases ok some graphite( dry, in tube) can be sprayed in the column, trying to hit the area of the steering lock...should do the trick...hope were are on the rite track...thanks