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Automatic shift button does not work
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trains50
New User
Jan 21, 2008, 12:29 AM
Post #1 of 4
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Automatic shift button does not work
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My daughter has a 1996 Pontiac that the button on the automatic (between the seats) stopped working the other night while at a friends house. I need to try to repair the car so she can go to work and college classes, but I don't have a clue. Is there a switch that is not working, is there a way to bypass the switch? I assume that the ignition needs to be on, or on ACC for the transmisson to slip into gear. She tells me that it has been shifting a little hard lately. Your help is appreciated.
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DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 21, 2008, 7:49 AM
Post #2 of 4
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Re: Automatic shift button does not work
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1996 Pontiac what?
Is it that the shifter release button doesn’t push in or that it does but the shifter doesn’t move down through the gears?
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
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trains50
New User
Jan 21, 2008, 8:35 AM
Post #3 of 4
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Re: Automatic shift button does not work
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Sorry, it is a 94 (not 96 as stated before) Pontaic Grand Prix, the button does not push in when it is time to shift. The handle does have a little play in it, but the button you need to push in before you shift does not push in.
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DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jan 21, 2008, 10:49 AM
Post #4 of 4
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Re: Automatic shift button does not work
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This vehicle uses a cable connected between the ignition switch and the shifter release button. It’s designed to only allow the button to be pushed in if the ignition switch is in the run position.
The cable may have broken, become disconnected or stretched and the cable is not pulling the detent pin out of the way to release the shifter button.
Remove the shifter console to gain access to the cable and it’s adjuster. Try rotating the ignition switch while watching for any cable movement at the shifter.
If there is movement, you might be able to adjust the cable by pulling out a locking tab at the end of the outer cable casing. Make sure the ignition is in the run position and pull or push the cables outer casing, until the shifter button can be pushed in. Once the cable is in the proper location (adjustment) push the locking tab back down into position locking the outer cable.
If there isn’t any cable movement, then the cable has broken or become disconnected.
It takes a bit more to get to the ignition switch and with air bags I suggest taking the car in to have this repaired. In the meantime with the console removed you should be able to push or pull on the lever that the cable connects to and get the shifter to move.
Here a diagram, its not the best but it’ll give you an idea of what you’re looking for. What I called a locking tab the diagram calls a “lock button”
Dan.
Canadian "EH"
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