My 89 L98 with the 700R4 (or is it the 4L60?) drives great but last week the shift lever has caused some very bad problems.

First I noticed that when I got on a road over 55mph and I'd upshift into OD, the button on the lever felt funny and after a few times would just go straight into Neutral and I'd have to bring it back down into OD. At this point I can still drive it, but getting into OD means going from D->N->OD. Fine. Now, the thing doesn't want to go into Park so even though I can release the key from the ignition, sometimes when I start the car wants to jump in Reverse which proved scary last night as I got a jump start from a good Samaritan. Not only that, even engaging Reverse is odd because I can't feel the lever "click" into gear. Shifting from P to D is like smooth past R, and then three clicks from N to OD to D. But again, shifting back up from D to OD doesn't work, it only clicks down from N to OD.

[edit]I'd like to add that when I drive around in either OD or D, the tranny performs and shift just fine on its own. [/edit]

Something is wrong and getting progressively worse. I tried some searching but keep getting the same unrelated results.

Has anyone been through this before? What could this be? Is there some sort of cable or bolt that could be loose? Or could this be worse?

THanks!

 

Update - it's getting worse. I can't put the transmission in Park at all now. I can click the lever to the P position and remove the key still, but the transmission is still in reverse at that point.

How can I access the shift lever components? Is there a way to get to it from the cabin or do I have to get under the vehicle and reach around the transmission?

Thanks!

 

Check both ends of shifter cable. Most likely on the transmission.
I would jack the car up and check cable at transmission first.

 

sounds good. i'm getting the forehead flashlight and jacking up the car.

be back in a bit.

 

Praise the Lord and thank you CorvetteMike2004!! I somehow lost one of the 2 bolts that holds the cable bracket to the pan/tranny.

I just happened to have an extra bolt in my random bolt box that fit perfectly and the gears all select beautifully once again. Clicking restored.

corvetteforum rules!

 

Lots of knowlegable folks here willing to help us all.