Thread: Gear shift not connect to transmission

What kinda car?

Because its easiest to check first- Look below the TB at the black box on top of the transmission, see if your cable is still connected and that the range switch isn't broken. Kinda sounds like it broke on the shifter end. Move it and see if the trans end moves. If not, take out the console to look at the shifter for what broke. Worn engine/trans mounts might have finally sagged enough to bind the shift cable (not too likely but maybe) but the key to easy shifting from park is to firmly engage the parking brake before putting it in park. So the brakes hold the car still instead of a little part in the transmission and your CV joints.

being your on a hill in park, the cars weight is hanging on the trannys park gear. you ripped the cable end off the leaver on the tranny, like idj stated.

to get the car out of park you will need to get a pal or two to push the car up hill some then pop it out of park.

to avoid this next time, while the cars in gear still, set the e brake, then pop it in N and let the E brake hold the car, then put it in park. it will now slide out of park with no effort.

you need to push the car up the hill, (like 3 to 4 inches) then e brake it or chock the wheel. pull it out of park. if the cable is busted you can pull the lever on the tranny. have someone behind the wheel while doing this to hold the brakes. lets not kill our selves trying to move it.


the clip might be broken on the end of the cable, or it might clip right back on. it just gets pushed on the little ball on the lever. rather simple set up.

They do call it a parking brake for a reason LOL.

I use my parking brake everytime I park my truck, no matter what type of ground or level I am at. It's a habit or should I say just something I do no matter what because my driveway is not flat and I park on it everyday. Even on flat ground and you throw it park and get off the brake it will roll forward or backwards and "bump" the pawl and stop moving, that's still unwanting pressure being put on those parts.

Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch

They do call it a parking brake for a reason LOL.

I use my parking brake everytime I park my truck, no matter what type of ground or level I am at. It's a habit or should I say just something I do no matter what because my driveway is not flat and I park on it everyday. Even on flat ground and you throw it park and get off the brake it will roll forward or backwards and "bump" the pawl and stop moving, that's still unwanting pressure being put on those parts.

^^This.

I tend to apply the brake first, then put it into park.

I think the only thing dumber than not using the ebrake, is using the ebrake, but leaving the car in neutral. This is more specifically for manuals, but still.

Originally Posted by Monday

The other thing using e brake does is to keep it working smoothly. Those who live in corrosion areas would have a problem if the brake is not usually applied.

This^^^^

Being an "Ex-wheeler", I learned to ensure that my rig couldn't get away from me (always use e-brake and nature if possible).

This is me during a time when I had no e-brake:







Same trail, same spot, at some other time, this guy learned the hard way about not using his e-brake. Listen carefully and you can here the park pawl break:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpUIDYCaYoc