About Jay Cooney Expertise I can answer any question about any GM steering column with my having over 30 years of GM experience. I will answer general questions on any other steering column manufactured by the major automakers. I will do what I can to help troubleshoot and repair a steering column.
Experience I have over 30 years experience in auto repair. I have repaired or rebuilt thousands of vehicles. My expertise is general and mechanical (gas and diesel) troubleshooting along with a vast electrical background. I have accumulated an extensive library of repair manuals and have researched every car problem from AMC's to Z-71's.
Question I have a 1996 S10 Blazer (T10) 4x4, 2DR, A/T, 4.3. The shifter suddenly will not return to the PARK position. I can move freely through R-N-OD-D-2-1, but the shifter will not return to the P position. I don't feel it is a problem with the transmission because I can place it into park by moving the lever at the transmission, and the shifter will then also reflect the correct status. Once in park, attempting to shift into gear is difficult making me think that a safety lever or detente is not working correctly (after having this problem once, and being away from home, I have since just left it in N when parked and the e-brake on). The transmission behaves normally and will start in P or N (obviously N). I'm wondering, before dropping the kick panel, dash and steering column, if there is anything common to look for, if this is all mechanical and not electrical (solenoid/) or ?
Thanks,
Grover
Answer Hello Grover,
You are correct, it's the detent misaligned. You will need to drop the column to get at it. Be sure to disconnect the linkage when you do or risk bending something and be back at square one when you put it back together.
Hope that helps,
Have a great day!
-Jay
