Won't start, not in park, can't move shifter

S4R911 · #1 04-06-2008, 08:59 AM

Hi everybody,
I have a weird problem. Here's what happened:

Haven't driven the car (1992) much lately as it's been replaced as my daily driver. When I did get it out, the shift lever was very stiff. Very stiff... had to really work it to move from park to drive etc.

Drove it up beside the house and charged the battery and now it won't turn over. Windows and everything else works fine, I'm confident that the battery has enough juice. The park light on the dash isn't lit up, neither is the reverse light or any other gear lights. The shifter looks like it's in park. I can't push the button on the shifter in to move it, it's locked. Turning key, no crank.

I'm stumped. Can't even get it into neutral to push it out of the way.

Car's stuck, I'm stuck. Any ideas?
Thanks
Alan

CorSVXette · #2 04-06-2008, 09:51 AM

I don't know about the starting problem but I had a simular problem where I couldn't get the shifter back into park. The button was broken. It would not push in. There are 2 little screws on the shifter that you can loosen or take out and you can pull the shifter up and off. Then you will see a white button on top that you should be able to push down on and be able to shift. That is what was wrong with mine. The plastic button on the shifter was broken. I drove it around like that till I got a hold of another shifter. Not sure if that is your problem so just a thought.

b3lha · #3 04-06-2008, 11:13 AM

At the top end of the shift slot, near the P position, is a little oval button. This is an emergency release for the gear lever mechanism.

CorSVXette · #4 04-06-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b3lha

At the top end of the shift slot, near the P position, is a little oval button. This is an emergency release for the gear lever mechanism.

Not all cars had this button. Mine didn't until I had this problem and had YT change out the shifter

S4R911 · #5 04-06-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorSVXette

Not all cars had this button. Mine didn't until I had this problem and had YT change out the shifter

I have that button- what does pushing it do?

Thanks for the replies.

CorSVXette · #6 04-06-2008, 02:08 PM

If you push it down you should be able to move the shifter without having to step on the brake.

S4R911 · #7 04-06-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorSVXette

If you push it down you should be able to move the shifter without having to step on the brake.

Excellent! This allowed me to get to neutral and fire the beast up. It won't properly engage park, so I'll have to take it in and get that checked out. At least now I can get it there!

Thanks for the help
Alan

CorSVXette · #8 04-06-2008, 05:24 PM

Glad I can help. I have been helped so many times by the people on this network. I'm glad I can return the favor. Good luck with the car.