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dirty elf
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7

My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

07/12/2010 8:56 AM

i was driving to work this morning and everything was normal.. i pulled into my spot and when i went to shift my car (2000 3 speed automatic chevrolet cavalier) into park the shifter moved really easily, and caught me off gaurd.. when i went to get out of the car i realized that it was still in drive; even though i had moved the shifter to park. i then quickly realized that moving the shifter did not change the gear the car was in. i couldnt get it in neutral, park, lower gear, reverse, anything.. it was stuck. the car was registering that the shifter was in park however because i wasnt able to take the key out while the shifter knob was "in drive" but when i pulled the e-brake and moved the shifter knob to park (even though the car was still in drive) it let me turn the car off so I could go inside.

im thinking a cable came loose from underneath the shifter assembly, but its been years since i worked on this car and wanted to know if anyone had any other ideas or at least something temporary so i can get the car home...

thanks
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lyn
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 42355
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#1

Re: my car wont shift out of drive

07/12/2010 9:03 AM

If you are the adventurous type, turn the key to the on position so you can steer, push it back out of the space, start it up (If you can) and drive it home.

If it were mine, I'd call a tow truck.
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KJK/USA
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United States - Member - Member Engineering Fields - Electrical Engineering - Electrical Construction

Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mid Western USA - The Corn Belt
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#2

Re: my car wont shift out of drive

07/12/2010 9:09 AM

I think you are right on - something in the shift linkage came loose. Being a 2000, I have assumed that it is not under warranty.

By virtue of the park/neutral safety interlock switch, you will not be able to start it in drive.

The safest suggestion I have is to have it towed to a repair shop.

You could jack it up, go under and shift the tranny into park so you could start it but then you would have to go back under neath to shift it into drive while it is running. ****I DO NOT RECOMMEND DOING THIS - IT IS DANGEROUS****

Best bet IMHO, have it towed and repaired.

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dirty elf
Member

Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7
#3
In reply to #2

Re: my car wont shift out of drive

07/12/2010 9:50 AM

yeah i wont be climbing under anything while it is running or anything like that.. im going to pull it apart and see if its *hopefully* something quick... if not i reall ydont have any other choice but to tow it
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dirty elf
Member

Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7
#4
In reply to #3

Re: my car wont shift out of drive

07/12/2010 10:43 AM

well it came disconnected from the engine bay.. the shift cable eyelet on the end dry rotted and came off the transaxle manual lever... does anyone know if i need to replace the whole cable or can i just replace the end that broke?
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peterg7lyq
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Join Date: Jan 2010
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Good Answers: 60
#5

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

07/12/2010 10:44 AM

Sorry to have to say this, But you seem to have the least reliable car in the world.

http://cr4.globalspec.com/search/sitesearch?do=show&sort=textmatchrank&srch=cavalier&order=asc

there have have been hundreds of cavalier faults, but if i can find out a cure for yours i will.

Dont buy another one
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Igotmine
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Somewhere on the yellow brick road
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#18
In reply to #5

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

07/13/2010 7:31 AM

Yep. My son had one up to a few months ago. Nothing but trouble. He had a similar problem with his shifter. For a time, he was parking on a slope so he'd be able to back up, then it would go into drive. We rehabbed our old BMW for him, now he doesn't have to worry about it anymore. Best move ever. Get rid of it.

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peterg7lyq
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#6

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

07/12/2010 10:45 AM

http://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/34542
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peterg7lyq
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#7

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

07/12/2010 10:47 AM
  1. Ask a Mechanic OnlineChevrolet.JustAnswer.com 15 Auto Mechanics Are Online! Ask a Question, Get an Answer ASAP.

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dirty elf
Member

Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7
#8
In reply to #7

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

07/12/2010 11:00 AM

yeah i know cavaliers arent the best cars in the world.. i drive one :)

i just need it to keep chuggin till i can save up some cash.. i presume i can't just buy one end of the linkage cable... i need to get the whole damn thing ?
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KJK/USA
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United States - Member - Member Engineering Fields - Electrical Engineering - Electrical Construction

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#9
In reply to #8

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

07/12/2010 11:06 AM

Elf,

Unfortunately yes, you will most likely have to buy the whole assembly. If you are going to keep the car for a while, don't buy from a auto junk/salvage yard. If you do, the one you buy may be on it's last leg.

You don't say what part of the globe you are located but if you are in the US and have a Pepboys near you, they are very decent with their repair prices.

Good Luck!

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dirty elf
Member

Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7
#10
In reply to #9

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

07/12/2010 11:11 AM

yeah the reason this part failed is because its old and rotted, i can only imagine that a yard would have pieces in the same or worse condition

does anyone know how the linkage actually connects to the gear selector? The post that the eyelet connects to has a round ball on the end of it, im assuming it just snaps on there? Maybe there is some sort of solution that could last to allow me to get it home or to a shop.. i really dont want to have it towed...
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peterg7lyq
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#13

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

07/12/2010 11:36 AM

http://carbaze.com/car/index/3381/chevrolet-cavalier-automatic/videos
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dirty elf
Member

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Posts: 7
#14
In reply to #13

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

07/12/2010 12:02 PM

thanks for the links
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peterg7lyq
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2446
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#15
In reply to #14

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

07/12/2010 1:40 PM

No Probs hope they help

could you perhaps temp secure to cable end to the g/box with couple of hose/jubilie clips
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dirty elf
Member

Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 7
#16
In reply to #15

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

07/12/2010 5:05 PM

i was thinking zipties, but a hose clamp might work better... ill see what i can do - short of making a shift cable that goes out my window :)
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peterg7lyq
Guru

Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2446
Good Answers: 60
#17
In reply to #16

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

07/12/2010 5:14 PM

zip ties wont hold tried that some years ago, if the cable is still there and goes to the gear selector hose clamp types will be stronger, any flexing should be absorbed by the cable, just remember to shift slowly.

or you could go tot he scrap yard cut of the last part of the cable with the connector or o ring part, and attach the cut of part using the clamps

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Anonymous Poster
#21
In reply to #17

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

09/26/2010 7:56 AM

Had the same problem yesterday. The cable popped off because of dry rot. You can reach under the intake pop cable back onto ball stud. Then drive away because you are pulling the cable. When you goto to park, you are "pushing" the cable this is why it pops off. I zip tied for now with a heavy duty tie band, . Instead of changing the cable I am pulling the bracket off. Cut off the ball stud and put 10.9 bolt in its place. The eyelet goes over the bolt and a nut with thread locker will keep it place. This is more of a fix than replacing the cable and waiting for dry rot again.
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Anonymous Poster
#19

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

07/13/2010 9:50 AM

You should be able to access and manually move the shifter with the hood up. (No crawling undercar ). Get a friend to help out.
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sensorscontrols
Associate

Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 26
#20

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

07/13/2010 9:51 AM

Best to park up against something quite substantial that moves out of the way when time to resume driving. Tow truck is good too.
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cinnastix3
Participant

Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1
#22

Re: My Car Won't Shift Out Of Drive

12/27/2013 3:34 PM

Elf, I drive a 99 cavalier and am having the same problem. But I can't seem to find the part that you are talking about. Where under the hood is it located??
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Users who posted comments:

Anonymous Poster (2); cinnastix3 (1); dirty elf (6); Igotmine (1); KJK/USA (2); lyn (1); peterg7lyq (8); sensorscontrols (1)

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