I have a 96 impala as a 2nd car. Rear wheel drive. If I am parked on a slight incline I have my ebrake one. I go to the car, take the ebrake off. When i try to shift from park to reverse the shifter refuses to me (its not on the wheel its on the middle floor part). What could be causing this. It is like stuck solid, i have to wait a few and pulll way hard to get it to move.
2007-12-12 06:28:26 · 6 answers · asked by ash 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I always have my foot on the brake when shifting from park to reverse. So thats not it..what could it be?
2007-12-12 06:39:12 · update #1
Try putting your foot on the brake some cars won't shift if you don't do this!
2007-12-12 06:33:55 · answer #1 · answered by teal_eyed_girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously your foot should be on the brake when you shift out of gear, I'm assuming you already know this.
This is very common on the Impala platform (and several other GM sedans), it's typically nothing to be worried about. The issue comes from several factors, primarily that the transmission is not a brake. When you stop on an incline you must apply the e-brake prior to taking it out of gear or taking your foot off the brake. This ensures the car is resting on the e-brake and not the transmission...if you remember to do this every time you shouldn't have any more trouble.
The other item that can often make it difficult to shift out of park is old stiff linkages. This can be resolved by lubricating the linkages where you can access them. In your case you can access almost all the shift linkages from under the vehicle. If you want to go all out remove the center console and lubricate the moving components of the shift lever itself. This will aid in changing gears under any situation of course, and will extend the life of bushings/washers in place on the linkages now.
Basically make sure the e-brake is taking the load of the car and not the transmission. If you put it in park, take your foot off the brake and then set the e-brake you're accomplishing nothing....the weight of the car is resting on the transmission park gear.
Hope this helps!
2007-12-12 14:42:50 · answer #2 · answered by mrharris32 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Since you are parked on an incline, the little thing inside your trans, called a parking pawl, is unduly stressed from gravity and is resisting your efforts to dislodge it. If you are sure that your E brake cables and rear calipers are in good working order and are not jamming to worsen the situation, then try stopping the car, setting your E brake second, and then putting into "park". When restarting it, out it into drive first, and then release your E brake. This should keep the tension off of your parking pawl. Good Luck!!!
2007-12-12 14:41:39 · answer #3 · answered by Robert M 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You are doing it backwards. In any car parked on a grade you should always put it in gear AND THEN release the brake. In most automatic transmission vehicles if you release the brake on a grade before trying to shift out of park it is going to be difficult to do because you are putting the weight of the vehicle on the parking gear. In order to prolong transmission life, take your car out of park before you release the brake.
2007-12-12 14:39:50 · answer #4 · answered by drgnrdr451 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
The foot on the brake is a good suggestion. Also check the steering lock. Sometimes if you turn the key a little, it'll unlock the steering and shifter.
2007-12-12 14:37:43 · answer #5 · answered by Brian P 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your e- brake cable needs to be adjusted, I know u said it's not in the wheel, but the linkage is at the e brake pedal. You have a cable prob, or a rear brake prob. You had your brakes worked on lately, if not, do it, and if so, they should have adjusted you cable.
2007-12-12 14:54:48 · answer #6 · answered by mellowguy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋