2004 Grand Am won't shift out of park

[sporta]

Hey all
I have an ' 04 Grand Am that all of a sudden will not shift out of park. Wife drove it to and from work last Thursday with no issues. On Friday morning, she went out to go to work, and the car would not shift out of park and she had parked behind our 2nd car.

Quick google search revealed a couple things to check, first was the brake switch (seems to work fine) other was the button mech on the shifter. I was able to get the bezel off around the shifter and when the button is pressed, it looks like the arm does not move quite far enough to disengage. I was able to press on the side of the arm and was able to drive it forward enough to get the Durango out so she could go to work. Once back in parrk, it locks up solid again. If I have the brake on while running and push the button on the shifter and apply pressure to the arm it will move fine.My question is, is there some adjustment to make so that it will easily operate again?

Thanks in advance.

Steve

 

[melsg5]

do your brake lights work?
does the solenoid in the console release when you have the engine running and you step on the brake?

 

[sporta]

do your brake lights work?
does the solenoid in the console release when you have the engine running and you step on the brake?

Brake lights work. With the engine running and the brake on, when I squeeze the shifter button there is an arm that moves to release the lock but it doesn't seem to move far enough. Gentle pressure and it shifts out fine.

 

[sporta]

Ok, took the boot off and here is what I've found. It appears that the rod in the center of the shifter doesn't depress far enough. In picture labeled "Shifter 1" you can see where the cable is with the knob on. Picture labeled "Shifter 2" shows how much farther the cable moves when pressing fully on the rod. Picture labeled "Shifter 3" just shows the same as "Shifter 1" only with the know shown. Could it be the shift knob is worn out? Sometimes if you press down hard on the top of the shifter knob while pressing the button it will shift as normal. Is there an adjustment I can make or should I just order a replacement knob and see if that fixes the problem??

Thanks in advance.

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[melsg5]

is the "U" shaped metal clip that holds the shift knob on still in place?
Not aware of any adjustment, you would have to look in a service manual.

 

[sporta]

is the "U" shaped metal clip that holds the shift knob on still in place?
Not aware of any adjustment, you would have to look in a service manual.

U-clip was indeed in place. I will keep digging the 'net for a service manual.

Thanks.

 

[melsg5]

If you remove the knob and manually press on the rod in the center of the shifter does it move to all gears.

 

[sporta]

If you remove the knob and manually press on the rod in the center of the shifter does it move to all gears.

Yes, it does. I finally gave up and purchased a replacement knob from Autozone today:


Not sure if link will work but grabbed a screen cap of the item....

It truly is a POS but all I could find in stock and affordable. One thing to note, if the knob is not adjusted 'just right', the blasted key will not unlock and remove...hell the damn car won't stop running 90% of the time with out it adjusted correctly.

If you have a better solution please let me know...

Thanks in advance

Steve

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