Shifter shaft stuck down

[dwzook]

Hello all,

I bought my 2002 Envoy in early 2013. I have always had a problem where I had to wait for the shifter to "click" after put in park and shut off, before I could removed the key. It was usually only a few seconds, or I could get it to "click" by shifting back out of park then back into park. Well yesterday the problem worsened. Upon inspection, and removal of the shifter cover, I noticed the shaft that the shifter button should push down is just stuck down. Now my shifter has no locks in any gear. It can freely move from park to low without any stops. And I have to use the bypass under the ignition to remove the key now. Does anyone have experience with this type of problem? what part it could be that has finally gone bad? Any help is appreciated.


Thanks

 

[Grimor]

I can only tell you how I fixed my shifter... Press the button and slam it into 1st hard. On mine the post was bent just enough to give me a problem. My cable was also broke at the transmission, the sleeve was cracked and wouldn't go into park until I fixed it. This happens because the linkage pushes for park, so without the sleeve being there, the cable can flex and not move it far enough.

Or I could be way off and none of this will help you.

 

[linneje]

There are two problems that commonly occur with the shifter. I am not sure which one is yours ....
The shift linkage underneath the vehicle has a bushing which often cracks so the cable becomes disconnected. Then moving the shifter doesn't actually change the transmission gear. You can visually inspect this under the vehicle.

The second is the wiring harness which controls the shift interlock, the wires often bend and flex and break. This harness can be accessed by taking off the shifter boot and the center console between the two front seats. This can be repaired or replaced if necessary.

 

[RPJ 03 Envoy X]

Both replies are correct for this model. I have a 2003 xl where the plastic broke under the truck, thus rendering my shifter useless until I fixed it. The way the plastic slides into the metal shaft would warrant a little lubricant first to make sure that there is no friction stopping it from sliding smoothly.

 

[dwzook]

Thanks for the replies. I am able to shift into all gears, just freely without pushing the button. The nubs that are suppose to lock into the channels aren't coming back up. I will lubricate down the shaft to see if the plastic is bound up somewhere. I tried grabbing the plastic inner shaft with pliers already, but it's not budging.

 

[crazyelvis3577]

I'm having this same issue and had to unmount the lock solenoid so it was open to be able to remove the key. The inner rod will not lift up to disengage the solenoid. What is the solution to this? Is there a spring under the rod that allows it to move up and down and engage/disengage the lock solenoid? The solenoid seems to be good and it works to lock and unlock the key from the ignition if I do it by hand. So any ideas what it could be?... broken spring? Broken wire? Bad solenoid?

 

[Blckshdw]

I'm having this same issue and had to unmount the lock solenoid so it was open to be able to remove the key. The inner rod will not lift up to disengage the solenoid. What is the solution to this? Is there a spring under the rod that allows it to move up and down and engage/disengage the lock solenoid? The solenoid seems to be good and it works to lock and unlock the key from the ignition if I do it by hand. So any ideas what it could be?... broken spring? Broken wire? Bad solenoid?

Here's what GMSI has for troubleshooting steps, goes along with the 2nd part of post #3

 

[TollKeeper]

I had a similar problem. When I got my new console it came with a shifter. I can take pics of the old shifter if needed.

 

[crazyelvis3577]

Are you talking about the actual shifter or the push button lever/boot ?

 

[TollKeeper]

If your talking to me, either. Have both sitting in my garage.

 

[crazyelvis3577]

So what did you do to fix your problem? New shifter?...

 

[TollKeeper]

I replaced the shifter assembly out of a newer lower mile truck. Once you take off the console it's pretty easy.