Auto Transmision shifter linkage (Page 1/2)
halegreg JAN 08, 02:33 PM
My 87 GT won't go into park. The detent button on the shifter doesn't do anything
olejoedad JAN 08, 02:38 PM
Is the shift knob fully seated and secured to the shift lever?
Is the ignition key in the ON position when trying to go to PARK?

[This message has been edited by olejoedad (edited 01-08-2019).]

halegreg JAN 08, 02:52 PM
Yes, the handle is seated fully and the engine switch is on and I also started it in neutral but it still won't go into park. I don't remember if it ever did go into park when I bought the car a few years back and then had health issues and was unable to work on the car. Looking at the shifter rod there is just a slot that the handle slips over but nothing that looks like it would be moved my the button on the handle
olejoedad JAN 08, 05:56 PM
In the gear shifter tube there should be a white plastic rod that is pushed down the tube when the button on the handle is pushed.
halegreg JAN 08, 06:32 PM
Yes, I found a spare shifter I picked up from another Fiero owner and it has a white plastic beaded looking rod ~7in long with a ~5/16in dia. solid top portion. The shifter tube in the car had nothing reaching the top of the tube but 1 1/2 in. down my screwdriver hit something and I was able to move the locking up and down and shift into park. However when I push the rod down with a screwdriver it doesn't spring back up but does so when I push down directly on the locking plate. Shot the tube full of PB Blaster and will let is sit overnight and see what tomorrow brings.
Thanks for your input.
Greg
theogre JAN 09, 12:14 AM
Coins and other crap can "lock" the shifter in park.
Key interlock can make problems too.
See my Cave, Auto Shifter

But Now You need to clean your mess for using oil quickly before plastic part have more problems later.
Use alcohol on the plastic.
Might still have problems because BPB et al can penetrate many types of plastic and won't wash off.

if metal to metal part stick try Dry Teflon. Lubes but won't hold dirt and won't track on other parts like dry Graphite.
Spray shift tube and other metal parks w/ that but not plastic. Teflon is safe for plastic only after spray chemicals dries for few minutes.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

olejoedad JAN 09, 08:04 AM
Why don't you just change out the shifter?
halegreg JAN 10, 05:18 PM
I'm hoping I don't have to but it may come to that.
olejoedad JAN 12, 08:57 AM
It's very easy to do.
darbysan JAN 12, 10:23 AM
Normally you should be able to just pull that white part out of the shifter. It is not connected on either end. Since your's is "down" inside the shifter, I am guessing that if might have broken ( or maybe the shifter was shortened?). If you can somehow get the other part out, then you can just replace it with the white part from your spare shifter. It should spring back up, though, when depressed.

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'87 GT , '00 3800 Series II SC, 4t65e, Vue Power Steering. (SOLD)