shifter won't move

apk2k6 · Post by **apk2k6** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 7:52 am

I was working on my car yesterday (just installed the dash harness and fixing a few problems). Well I woke up this morning and my car wont move from park, the button in the shifter wont go in. The connector for the release or w/e is plugged in so I don't know what the problem could be.

I really need my car though so hopefully you can help.

moparknighthawk · Post by **moparknighthawk** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 7:57 am

Could be a problem with the shift interlock. You might have to take appart the column and the center console and follow the cable. Maybe its seized up somewhere. Or maybe the shifter button it stuck somewhere, try taking the shifter handle off. Just a thought.

apk2k6 · Post by **apk2k6** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 8:32 am

It's probably not the shifter handle itself, because I didn't mess with that yesterday. I did however take the steering column off. The shift interlock is the cable that you press on the brake for it to release right?

What do you mean by seized up?

moparknighthawk · Post by **moparknighthawk** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 8:49 am

apk2k6 wrote:It's probably not the shifter handle itself, because I didn't mess with that yesterday. I did however take the steering column off. The shift interlock is the cable that you press on the brake for it to release right?

What do you mean by seized up?

Yeah, maybe the cable got caught on something inside the steering column. Or maybe it was forced while being caught and snapped. You'll have to do some investigating. Good luck.

apk2k6 · Post by **apk2k6** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 9:11 am

Alright I'll check it out when I get home then, I really hope it's not snapped.

Post by **jonnymopar** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 9:13 am

I think the main problem here is that you have an automatic. (kidding)

That shift interlock is a bitch. When it's working, if you listen down near the column, you can hear a distinct "click" when you put the brake in and push the button on the shifter. If you're not hearing that click, then that's probably the culprit. Especially if you didn't touch the shifter.

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 12:59 pm

Take out the center console and investigate. Sometimes that button on my atx will get stuck in when its cold out and I have to press it in a couple times in a rapid secession for it to go away. good luck though.

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 1:01 pm

jonnymopar wrote:I think the main problem here is that you have an automatic. (kidding)

actually that is the problem, if he had a manual he wouldnt have that problem

again kidding

apk2k6 · Post by **apk2k6** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:13 pm

Got it to work, just unplugged the small white connector that plugs into the shift interlock, I don't know what it does though, so it's probably not good to be unplugged.

Also if you havent seen my other post, a fuse keeps blowing for the lights of the dash, hvac, and shifter. Know any ways to fix this? thanks

Post by **racer12306** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:54 pm

you can go through and test a bunch of stuff for how many amps they draw and compare the readings to what it is supposed to be.

yeah it might be a good idea to find out what that plug does.

apk2k6 · Post by **apk2k6** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 12:08 am

I got the shifter to work with the plug in, too tired to say how I fixed it right now haha.

My dad has a little volt meter thing I think so i'll use that

lilolneon · Post by **lilolneon** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:53 am

possible you grounded something out with a screw? I did that to my park lights when i installed my 3d tails... accidently squeezed a wire to the frame w/ a screw and grounded it out... blew fuses like crazy. So... just check all the wiring you did and make sure nothing got grounded out and no bare wires are touching the frame.

Post by **jonnymopar** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 9:03 am

apk2k6 wrote:I got the shifter to work with the plug in, too tired to say how I fixed it right now haha.

My dad has a little volt meter thing I think so i'll use that

Oh yeah, multimeters are your best friend when it comes to wiring problems.

scneonchic · Post by **scneonchic** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 3:29 am

mine locked up like that a while back, turns out it was just my key was nicked in one spot and wasnt turning all the way to unlock the wheel, so BRR hooked me up w/ some new keys and its been fine since

:fingers crossed:

apk2k6 · Post by **apk2k6** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:38 am

alright i have a multimeter but i cant seem to read the voltage, which setting do i put it on?

Post by **racer12306** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:42 am

since its a car you would probably want the setting that reads up to 20v.

i do not know what voltage you should expect though.

apk2k6 · Post by **apk2k6** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 12:28 pm

It may also be because I had to put new connectors on, and I twisted the wires together and electrical taped them, the wires may be touching somewhere and shorting. So I'm going to go back and actually crimp them and make sure they don't touch.

I did the twist thing real fast just to make sure they worked in the beginning.

Edit: Did what I said I would above and the lights on the dash and hvac are working fine