Auto shifter sticking

[mattgw86]

My '95 has had an issue for a while now where the button to shift it out of park is sticking. If I fight with it for a few seconds, basically push down really hard and shake the lever, the button will fall and I can move the shifter. If I let of the brake while it's in park then press the brake again, the button sticks like before. I'm guessing there is a release solenoid that's tied into the brake circuit to release the button on the shift lever. Is this how the system works and if so, can the part be cleaned and rebuilt or should it be replaced?

[popo8]

Ur loading the PARK in the trans. I dont know the technical term..maybe @Cahall can explain better.

Park... ebrake...then take ur foot off the brake...that way its resting on the brake...not the trans.

[mattgw86]

I get what you're saying, like if you were to park on an incline and the weight of the car is on the trans. That's kinda what it's doing, but it does it all the time, even on level ground with the parking brake pulled.

[popo8]

Is the parking brake actually holding the car. Maybe the lever is pulling...but its not engaging???

[CPT]

These cars have a solenoid under the console that controls this. It is what prevents you from taking the shifter out of park unless your foot is on the brake. You either have a bad cable or solenoid.

Frank

[mattgw86]

Definitely the solenoid. I unplugged it this morning and turned the key on and the button pushed down easily. Plugged it back in and couldn't push it. I repeated this a few times to make sure it is definitely the culprit. I attached a picture of the part for reference. It's to the left and in front of the shifter. I found an ac Delco replacement on rock auto for $37. I'll try to clean it up first, because everything under there is gross and sticky.

One other thing- how do I get the shifter to go all the way to 1st gear? Isn't there something that can be removed to let the shifter move all the way back? I know I've heard of people doing this, but I guess I could just be going crazy, lol.