I've only seen a handful of people on here w/ classics, but I thought maybe some of you may have had experience w/ this at some point in your car travels lol.

I've got a factory column shifter on the chevelle, and last night the cars running while I open the garage, and as I get in to pull the car in, the shifter is stuck in park! I didn't want to pry to hard so I messed w/ it a little and finally got it into drive. I pull in the garage and it won't go back in park. It will only go up as far as reverse. Then I notice a lot of play in the shifter handle. I could get it to go back through the gears fine, and the tranny engaged in each right away so I'm sure it's not the linkage under the car. It's definately in the column because the lever will flop around in your hand now. (Most of the play is front to back)

Has anyone ever had a column like this apart and may possibly know what broke? I've replaced the tumbler before but never gone past that. I'm hoping its something inside, and not a case that I need to replace the column.

Thanks in advance.

 

Try some WD-40, it may just be rusted up. Chevychevychevychevychevy

 

How did I know you would be the first response

 

I may end up being the only response Ask about hooking up a v-tec controller and see what happens

 

is there a safetyswitch on the shifter like most autos

 

It happened to me when I bought my first Chevelle... The owner thought it was a powerglide

Their may be and adjustment you need to do on the rod where it meets the transmission, thats what I had to do... it wouldnt go into 3rd..

Or your linkage could be bent/kinked where it comes outta the firewall.

I got sick of autos so I got teh Mucie

 

It will start in neutral but not in any other gear, that means it does right?

 

I think hes talking about a lockout, akin to a steering lockout (wont move when keys not on)
You dont have that.

 

Actually I do have the steering lockout. The wheel does lock in place w/ out the key.



I know exactly where your talking about, I had the same problem when I got mine, but it wouldn't go in 1st , I had to have 1st! I adjusted the linkage and it was fine.
I just checked it now and theres some play at that coupler where the linkage connects below. But that didn't transfer up to the steering shaft. It all seems to be between where the shaft comes through the firewall and at the handle.

 

I know of the problem of which you speak.

If you have the old school shifter control where you have to pull it back to change gears it sounds like the mechanism that allows you to change gears when you pull back on the lever is worn out.

Sometimes its as simple as needing a new roll pin which you can get at nearly any auto parts store. There is always the chance to could be one of the other parts (there are only several) are FUBAR.

The best thing to do is take it apart and look for what does not appear to be 'normal'.