brianstarr58 Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 95 vert 3.4, went to go to work, started the car and tried to put into drive and the gearshift(console) wont move out of park. I noticed a couple of days ago when I went to shift into drive, the button on the shifter was stuck a little and I had to push harder than normal. This is the sequence of events... 1. started the car 2.put foot on brake 3.pushed button on console shifter to move to drive 4.shifter will not move out of park 5.tried again with key in the acc position..still wont move out of park Any suggestions? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BXX Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 The actual button thingy on the shifter handle likes to wear out or break. You'll need to grab a good one from the junkyard. In the meantime, on the front side of the shift handle is what looks like a giant stable, pull that out, pull the handle off and you should be able to shift out by pressing down on the detent rod. It'll get ya going until you can get a new lever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianstarr58 Posted August 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 Tried your suggestion. Pulled out giant staple and pulled handle off, then tried to press down on detent rod and it did not move. It will not press down. I'm to have to get it towed. Thanks for your help...I'll keep you posted on what the problem was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo090 Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 Did you put your car in park while it was still moving slightly, or maybe you released your brake right before the gear hit park forcing the car to lock. Try turning the wheel while trying to shift into park, just a suggestion. GOOD LUCK i hope you fix it so u can get to driving again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1138 Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 You may have something sticky down on the mechanism. Under the glove box lid there will be two 7 or 8mm bolts, yank them off and you should be able to pull the entire console top off, or just enough to access that mechanism. You'll see where the mechanism is that controls the movement of the shifter, maybe spray some WD-40 on it if it's gotten sticky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianstarr58 Posted August 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 Tried all of that, nothing works. Thanks though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1138 Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 OK, here's a solution so you don't have to tow it. Pop the shift cable off of the shifter and shift it manually into R and D or whatever you need. A flat blade screwdriver will work for that. At least then you don't have to get gouged to get it home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95 vert Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 There's a solenoid on the shifter (BTSI) and it's gone south. Pull shifter knob and console top plate. The solenoid is down low on the shifter. Take a screwdriver and pop it off the linkage and your shifter will move normally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianstarr58 Posted August 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2011 Had to get a center shift console assembly. My mechanic put it in and i'm up and running again. Thanks for everyones suggestions. This site is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianstarr58 Posted September 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2011 Got another console shifter and it worked for about 2 weeks, then bam..same problem,stuck in park. 95vert suggested removing the solenoid on the shifter. I mentioned this to my mechanic and after talking to a tech at a buick dealer he said it's a common problem. He also told him that the only harm being done by removing the solenoid is that you could accidentally shift into a different gear. The solenoid prevents that from happening because you have to depress the button on the shifter to change gears. My thanks to "95vert". There's a solenoid on the shifter (BTSI) and it's gone south. Pull shifter knob and console top plate. The solenoid is down low on the shifter. Take a screwdriver and pop it off the linkage and your shifter will move normally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95 vert Posted September 26, 2011 Report Share Posted September 26, 2011 Got another console shifter and it worked for about 2 weeks, then bam..same problem,stuck in park. 95vert suggested removing the solenoid on the shifter. I mentioned this to my mechanic and after talking to a tech at a buick dealer he said it's a common problem. He also told him that the only harm being done by removing the solenoid is that you could accidentally shift into a different gear. The solenoid prevents that from happening because you have to depress the button on the shifter to change gears. My thanks to "95vert". Sometimes I get these small bouts of saneness and actually answer with the correct solution! Glad I could help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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