I have a '88 GT automatic, that has never ran since I have owned it. It has a bad transmission that I am now getting ready to swap out. Today I tried to remove the console to send the wire harness through the bulkhead, but now I can not get the shifter out of Park, and I am having trouble pulling the retaining clip in front of the handle, with it being so close to the HVAC control and radio. The shifter has been in the Park position since it was towed here a couple of years ago. Does the shifter need to be in first gear to remove the clip? I have tried to pull it out with the hook end of a scribe tool, as it is too cramped to get a needle nose pliers to pull it. Any ideas why the shifter will not come out of Park? I have pushed the brake pedal when trying to move the shifter, with no success. The release button on the shifter is stubborn and hard to push in also.
Try moving the key switch, maybe the interlock cable is stuck. but you should be able to pry the lock clip out with a small flat tip screw driver. OH, and the key has to be moved out of the "lock" position. You can just pop the cable off the shift lever at the trans if you just need to roll the car.
FFIEROFRED, Got it. Thanks! I don't drive these automatic cars much. I bought this one for my girlfriend. Now I need to get it running with a transmission swap. Thanks again.
