tranny stuck in park ??

[psylo535]

i have a 2003 2500 van with auto overdrive transmission. all of a sudden it is real hard to get out of park. if i wiggle she shift lever around for a few seconds it will move and then everything is fine. any ideas what this could be. i know one of these times i will not come out of park and i will be stuck

[alloro]

If this is happening on a hill, it's normal. You can avoid it happening by first setting the parking brake and then shifting into park.

If it's happening even on level surfaces, then you should inspect the linkage for any places where it might be binding, is bent, or is in need of lubrication. Another possibility is that maybe your ignition key isn't turning forward enough to release the shifter lock in the column.

[psylo535]

thanks for the reply. it happens on flat ground all the time. it feels like the linkage is bound up. all looks good down by the tranny. how hard is it to pull the steering column cover off to inspect. i don't want anything crazy to happen like set off an airbag.

[psylo535]

i got it. i took the boot off the shift handle and sprayed pb blaster on the linkage and it's working fine

[alloro]

Don't you love it when it's simple. :)

[psylo535]

Don't you love it when it's simple. :)

yeah, i sure do. usually it turns into a major ordeal