Gear shift selector moves but the gears on the transmission do not change

2005GMCENVOY

MEMBER
2005 GMC ENVOY
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
65,000 MILES

The on – gear selector remains in park. But the gear selector will move back-and-forth through all the gears. I checked underneath and the bushing is attached to the transmission. That appears to be a problem that’s common to the vehicle that the bushing comes apart. But this bushing is firmly attached. The vehicle starts but will not come out of park even though the gear selector moves. What do you think the problem is, does the entire cable need to be replaced. Please let me know. Thank you for your help.

5 Replies

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Just to be sure we are on the same page; the gear selector is moving but the transmission is remaining in park?

Have you confirmed the vehicle does not roll at all when in gear? I suspect this will go into gear, but the engine just revs as if it is in park or neutral.

If that is the case, then we need to start with checking the fluid.

If it is low or in poor condition, we need to change the fluid and see if the issue improves.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-and-add-transmission-fluid

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

However, if the gear selector is attached and the transmission is remaining in park as it will not move even by pushing it when in gear then we have a broken manual valve.

This would be an internal transmission repair and is rare so let's start with the fluid and confirm this is okay. The next step will be to check the line pressure but let's confirm this is the issue and go from there.

Thanks

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Sunday, May 29th, 2022 AT 8:40 PM

2005GMCENVOY

MEMBER
3 POSTS

The transmission fluid was drained and refilled by a mechanic less than 100 miles ago. He stated that the transmission looked fine. I cannot push the car I can rock it in place. The car appears to be in the park position. The engine starts and runs fine. I can move the shifter to the drive position but the car acts as if it is still in park same is true of all other gears. Also, normally when I move the gear selector the car would lock and then it would unlock once it is in the park position. It no longer does this. I’m no mechanic but from what I’ve researched this could be a broken cable, that is the connection between the gear selector and the transmission itself. Please let me know what you think. Also, I think this car would need to be towed. But would it be proper for them to connect to the vehicle and load it onto a truck without getting it out of the park position? Thanks.

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Sunday, May 29th, 2022 AT 11:49 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Got it. Thank you. Yes. I suspect you are correct that the gear selector that you move with your hand is moving but the selector on the side of the transmission is not moving.

That means the cable is broken or seriously out of adjustment.

I am attaching the info on replacing this cable, but I think the best course of action is to lay on the ground, have someone sit in the vehicle and keep their foot on the brake and shift the vehicle from park to drive/reverse. You will see on the side of the transmission where the cable attaches and this is called the transmission range sensor.

This is nothing more than a sensor that tells the PCM what gear the transmission is in. This cable moves the manual valve that goes into the transmission.

Let's just watch this and see if it moves when the shifter is moved.

If not, then we need to replace the cable. I will say that when this breaks the shifter normally will move very easily and not feel like there is any drag on it at all. If it does not feel like this, then it could just be out of adjustment but let's get there next.

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Monday, May 30th, 2022 AT 6:22 AM

2005GMCENVOY

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Yes. I’ve already done that. The lever on the transmission does not move and there is no resistance when I move the shifter. I understand that there is not an option to adjust this cable. Also, as I mentioned the placing of the vehicle in park does not activate the Auto Unlock. The reverse is also true when placed in gear it does not activate the Auto Lock. Thanks. Do you know the cost of replacing the cable?

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Monday, May 30th, 2022 AT 10:18 AM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

There actually is an adjustment procedure but that is not going to fix this issue. If there is no resistance, then the cable or a connection broke so it will most likely need to be replaced.

Even if it just came unhooked, it will most likely do it again, so we are going to need to replace it.

It looks like the labor to do this is about an hour and a half. So that means you multiple the shops door rate by 1.5 and then add the cost of the part.

So, in most cases this is going to be around $300 in labor and then the cost of the part varies depending on what supplier you select.

The locks are not unlocking because the BCM commands these when the transmission range sensor tells it that you have changed the gear position. If this is not moving, then it will not unlock the doors.