ALL OF THE BELOW ACTIVITIES ARE TO BE DONE WITHOUT ENGINE RUNNING!!!
1 Early diagnostic method to see if the shift cable ITSELF is locked up or
binding in its sleeve is as follows:: Remove the forward most portion of
the shift console cover.. This exposes the portion of the shift cable that
hooks to the shifter arm.. Remove the LOCK (RETAINER) PIN that attaches the
shift cable to the shifter arm.
Allow the portion going to the shift arm to drop out the way. The eye in
the shift cable is now exposed. LEAVING ENGINE OFF, YOU SHOULD NOW BE ABLE
TO MOVE SHIFTER ARM THRU ALL POSITIONS,INCLUDING 'PARK'.. If you can't,
something is locked up in your shifter arm mechanism itself.. Assuming you
can make normal movements with the shifter arm now, do the following:
Insert a small screwdriver in the exposed eye of the shift cable.. YOU
SHOULD be able to easily turn it 90 degrees or so & when released it
should go back to its normal position.. This verifies that the cable is
free & OK on the shift console end.. If it doesn't spring back then the
shift cable is frozen up & needs to be replaced.. "MINE WAS LOCKED UP
SOLID & IT HAPPENED OVER 1 NIGHT".. You might want to check the shift
cable adjustment, if you have a service manual with details on doing this,
before you close up the console cover..Any questions on just this prob get
to me w/email bottledoctor(at)netscape.com...... hope this helps
someone!!! jim