1993 Pontiac Sunbird Stuck in Park

1993 GMC
Avatar
LARDCA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My 93 Pontiac Sunbird is, for all practical purposes, stuck in park. Auto Transmission. You have to practically hit it with a hammer to get it out. (It shifts freely through all the other gears) I've been told it's probably just a cable. Is this an easy fix? Would like to do it myself. What's involved? OR, any other suggestions as to the problem?
Thanks
Feb 6, 2006 at 5:06 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
CHEVY350GUY
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 109 POSTS
because it only happens in park, it could be the shift release. which is activated when you press the brake and unlocks the shifter. if it were a cable it should bind up in more than just park.
Feb 6, 2006 at 9:20 AM
Avatar
DONNELS99
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I agree with checking the cable. Sometimes they are contained within a plastic tube (like on a bicycle brake cable).

Try spraying some penetrating oil like WD-40 down there and let it soak. I have found lots on gunk in a stuck release cable before.
Feb 8, 2006 at 10:50 AM
🔧 Tools & Auto Repair Parts
Find automotive tools, diagnostic equipment, and replacement parts for your next repair.
Shop on Amazon →
Paid affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Suggested Repair

Inspect the brake-shift interlock (shift release) that unlocks the shifter when the brake pedal is pressed. Because the shifter binds only in Park and moves freely through the other gears, a binding shift cable is less likely.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1993 Pontiac Sunbird with an automatic transmission reported that the shifter is very difficult to move out of Park but shifts freely through the other gears, and asked whether a cable was the cause and how to fix it. An expert advised that the problem is more consistent with the shift-release mechanism, which unlocks the shifter when the brake is pressed, than with a shift cable, which would typically bind in more than one gear. Another participant suggested checking the release cable and spraying penetrating oil to loosen accumulated gunk.

Related Repair Questions

Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Ask a new question

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle