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Is the car parked on a hill? If it is, have someone rock the car to relieve pressure on the park pin.
If it's not on a hill, it could be that the brake solenoid on the shifter is not releasing. You'll have to remove the center console around the shifter to get to it. You can just unplug it until you replace it.
If none of the above, you can jack the car up to get access to the transmission from the driver's side and disconnect the shifting linkage. Once disconnected, you should be able to manually put it in neutral, unless there's internal damage.
Is the car parked on a hill? If it is, have someone rock the car to relieve pressure on the park pin.
If it's not on a hill, it could be that the brake solenoid on the shifter is not releasing. You'll have to remove the center console around the shifter to get to it. You can just unplug it until you replace it.
If none of the above, you can jack the car up to get access to the transmission from the driver's side and disconnect the shifting linkage. Once disconnected, you should be able to manually put it in neutral, unless there's internal damage.
Thank you for your time and suggestions -- it is not on a hill and we have tried to rock but will try again. Pretty sure it is the cable and/or the plastic bushing based on previous posts. Not able to do the work myself so the answer at this time is to get it in neutral to be able to load it on the tow for transport.
Thank you for your time and suggestions. The vehicle is not parked on a hill and we have tried rocking it but will try again. Pretty sure it is broken shifter cable and/or plastic bushing after reading prior posts. I am not able to do the work myself so my only option is to be able to position the car so that it may be trailered to dealer.
...Pretty sure it is the cable and/or the plastic bushing based on previous posts...
By your description of the problem I was under the impression that the shifter couldn't be moved from Park, and my suggestions were based on that.
The symptoms for a broken bushing/cable are different: the shifter moves with no effort through PRND321, but without changing anything in the transmission.
If this is the case, usually the cable is fine and it is just a broken bushing at one of its ends.
Even though at this point most probably only 1 gave up, it would be good to take the opportunity and replace bushings at both ends.
Oh my goodness -- I am so sorry -- I sincerely apologize for mis-stating the entire situation -- I am so focused on being able to re-position the vehicle that I forgot to tell the rest of the story.
Upon pulling into my driveway yesterday and preparing to shift into reverse to be able to place the vehicle properly in the carport, the shifter moved with no effort through PRND321, but without changing anything in the transmission. I was able to turn off the engine and re-start, but not shift into any other gears. Additionally, we tried rocking. Unfortunately, the vehicle is in Park and sitting crosswise in my driveway outside the carport. Insult to injury was that my non-rain repellent cover had to come off last night because of rain, and I was able to get one of two other vehicles out of the driveway by driving onto my neighbor's yard (after permission).
My 'Vette mechanic of over 40 years recently closed his automotive business and retired due to health problems which is why I am stranded with the dealership folks, but only if I can trailer to the dealer.
I thank you again for your time and information. I am hoping it is one of the bushings and with the knowledge and video you provided, perhaps I can locate some help and get the Dorman 14057 kit installed.
Hey, no need to apologize. I completely understand how you feel 🍻 ☺
As you can see, just a detail can change everything 😂. The good news is that there's no damage to the transmission, as it was possible in the other scenario. It should be just a bushing (not even the cable) and it can be fixed with a few of bucks and a couple of hours in your driveway. I suggest you consider giving it a try 👍
Note: rocking the car will have no effect in this situation (it was only a possibility in the other scenario).
If you need to reposition the car, engage the emergency brake, jack the left rear up to gain access to the transmission from the driver's side and disconnect the linkage so you can manually change to Neutral. Disengage the emergency brake, push the car to a better position and when you're done, engage the emergency brake again.
Great advice and I appreciate the diagram - a church friend took pity and with the help of your diagram, was able to get us to Neutral and I have re-positioned the vehicle for pickup and transport tomorrow and I will tell them to replace both bushings. I appreciate all of your advice and especially your faith in me that I should DIY, but I am afraid my time and attention is all focused at this time on full-time caregiving, but should that change, I certainly have the best of the best teacher, and I will be calling on you!
I just experienced a failure 2 days ado of the rear shift linkage bushing on my 2007 Z51. I parked in the driveway and the shift lever went free as I moved it from drive to park. Fortunately a friend who reads the forum like the Bible knew exactly what was broken and which end! We jacked up the rear of the car, set it on Jack stands and found the failed bushing at the transmission end. Less than 15 minutes and $8 later we had a Dorman 41014 bushing kit and used the 2nd smallest bushing to fix the problem. Long needle nose pliers worked very well pressing the new bushing into place with the control rod and tranny lever! I was grealtful for the excellent on line contributions from so many and my good friend's passion with your web site and his 2008 Vette! I see it as a $400 bill avoided! Thanks!
If it is not the bushings but the LOCK SOLENOID near the shifter just remove it
My car would occasionally get stuck in park, luckily in my driveway or my garage not miles from home. It WAS the small PARK LOCK CYLINDER which is right near the shift lever.
Instead of replacing the solenoid I just pulled the one plug connector off the terminal which goes to the solenoid and it has been like that for several years with NO PROBLEMS. I posted this years ago and the posts may still be there but believe me it was a real PITA not being able to shift the car out of park.
I forgot to mention that a dealership will probably not replace the bushings. They'll go for the whole cable.
The part number for the cable from 97-03 is 12561688
The part number for 04-05 (and late 03) is 10352529
Let us know how it goes
Good afternoon -- On October 21, 2018, you were very helpful in assisting me with a shifter lock on my 2004 'Vette (bushing and cable issue). I was able to get help to re-position the vehicle from a church friend and your instructions. $3,000 later, after a week at the local dealership where they replaced and adjusted the Shift Cable Retainer; replaced the a/c compressor, battery and all four tire sensors, I was presented with a dirty vehicle which had set outside during several rain storms and had leaves stuck all over the car which were staining the white convertible top and white paint...I have not been a happy camper since then.
I have now decided that the best recourse is to sell and would like any tips on how to do that on the Forum. I would not want to misunderstand any of the rules involved and do not know whether I would have to drive or transport the vehicle to a prospective buyer.
