Cadillac Repair: Shifter problem, bell crank, shifting gears

Question
My 1988 Caddy Deville will not shift into any gear - it has the column shifter (automatic transmission) and will not move into a forward gear, neutral, reverse or park. It (shifter) just
moves freely. Is there a shifter cable that needs to be replaced or ???

Answer
Hello,


My first guess would be a bad park cable. It runs between the shifter arm under the steering column under the dash, to the floor shifter. It is a cable designed as a safety device that prevents the key from coming out of the ignition when in any other position than park.

The easiest was to see if a bound up cable is the problem is by doing to things. Disconnect cable under dash, either it has a small pin that needs to be removed or a bell crank that just pops on to a ball onto the arm. A big screwdriver can be used to pry it off.

Next, remove the console plate and disconnect the cable. Try shifting gears at the floor shift with cable disconnected. If it shifts, you need a new park cable. It was common for us to see this event. Once removed, you will see where the strands of wire cable caused the binding.

Not fun to change. I think it only pays a ridiculous flat rate of .5 to .7 hours and it may take two hours to route the new cable.