Engine won't start and now my car is stuck

Tiny
KRSTNLNDSY
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 120,000 MILES
I made a really dumb mistake yesterday.
Yesterday when I was out at the store, I got in my car, started it, turned on some music, and then texted my friend. I forgot that my car was running and I couldn't hear it because music was playing so I tried to start it again (I know, super dumb mistake). I don't know if this is related to the problem, but it probably is. My car seemed to be running fine though, so I just drove home. When I went to put it in to park after I got home, I noticed the park gear was really "gummy" feeling. I thought I might've done something wrong, so I put it in reverse, backed out, put it in drive, pulled back in to my parking spot, then put it back in park. It felt a bit less gummy, but still weird. I figured I'd take it to my mechanic if it continued tomorrow.
Then when I went to start my car again it wouldn't even start! I know the battery isn't dead because the lights and radio and everything still work. But I can't start it and I can't even get it out of park to move it! The biggest problem of this all: it's stuck in an underground parking garage so I can't even get a tow truck in there to take it somewhere.
I have no clue what to do now. Any suggestions, even to just get it out of the garage and get it to a mechanic? Thank you so much!
Monday, August 5th, 2013 AT 8:31 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
Sounds like the shifter cable is loose. Hold the brake on and try starting it in neutral, then in reverse or drive.
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Monday, August 5th, 2013 AT 8:41 AM
Tiny
KRSTNLNDSY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The shifter won't even move in to Neutral though.
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Monday, August 5th, 2013 AT 8:44 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
Sorry to drop the ball. Can I assume the problem has been solved by now?
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Sunday, January 19th, 2014 AT 6:42 AM

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