Steering Column Repair: Shift Lever 1995 Chev Blazer, wd 40, shift lever

Question
It is becoming more difficult to shift from Park into the other gears (R, N, D), I really have to pull hard on the shift lever to shift it between gears.  The shift lever is now getting loose, I am afraid it is going to break because it is so hard to shift into gears from park. Shift lever is on the steering column, not on the floor.

Answer
Hello John,
It sounds as though your shift locking mechanism has malfunctioned. It is an electronic solenoid that senses brake action (have to have the brake on to shift). It could be an electrical problem or the solenoid has failed.

It could also be dirt and dust have contaminated the shifter. You could try spraying some WD-40 into the shifter by removing the pin that holds the lever in the column and pulling outward with the lever. Be careful as there is a spring that must be in position to return the lever to the locked position.

Hope that helps.
Have a great day!
-Jay