Shifter problem-Need ideas -UPDATE

Hey Guys,

I took the 75, all stock automatic, out for a drive today.  I went for about 25 miles and came home. The only thing I noticed while driving was that when I came to a stop and idled, the car seemed to shaking a bit, like a loping cam. The car shifts fine through the gears.

 

When I got in the driveway and shifted into Park, the shifter felt like it took much less effort, than normal, to move through the different gears. Once in park, the key would not move past the first detent. By this, I mean turning off from the running position. It will not go into the lock or accessory positions. I can pull the key out, even though the ignition is not in the locked position. I tried several different keys, with the same result.

 

I then cranked the car again and put the car in drive, then reverse, then back to park. The transmission is in the gear the shifter is aligned with in the shift indicator. Also when placing the transmission in gear, the shifter doesn't feel like it has a much resistance as before.

 

The ignition/key situation seems to be related to the shifter problem. I need some ideas on where to start looking. Could it be a broken transmission mount or motor mount? If so, is this causing some kind of problem with the shifter. To the best of my knowledge, the transmission has never been out of this car. Help!

 

Thanks,

 

Scott

 

Edited by ranger3 - February 06 2010 at 10:27am

Thanks Lonnie, that's a great idea. I need to get the car in the air to take a look. I've had no previous problems with the car and this just started today. Thanks for the clue.

Scott

Thanks Joel. If it is the cable, is that difficult to replace? Also, what's the correct name of the part?

 

Scott

Edited by ranger3 - January 31 2010 at 8:42pm

Thanks Joel and Lonnie. I will take a look at it soon. I really appreciate the information.

 

Scott

Yes....as far as I know, all Sharks had them...with the exception of the '68s with the key in the dash.
There is another thread here with a similar issue, with some pics of the cable under the hood. It was fairly recent.


Edited by Adams' Apple - February 01 2010 at 11:28am

Scott

But...can you move the shifter out of Park with the key in the "Lock" position? That's really the purpose of the system...it's more of an anti-theft deterrent, as well as to keep someone(young-uns) from accidentally knocking the car out of park/reverse.
Being able to remove the key from the cylinder in any position other than "Lock" is strictly a function of the key cylinder. If the key will turn to "Lock", then the key will come out. The problem we see is that sometimes, the shift interlock cable will not allow the sleeve on the column to turn so that the key cylinder can be twisted to the "Lock" position, which makes it hard, if not impossible, to get the key out.
If you remember the older style, column shift automatics, the gear lever was attached to a sleeve/barrel on the column that would turn/move when you moved the shift lever up/down to go into reverse, neutral, drive, etc. On the console shifted automatics, the sleeve is still there, but instead of being attached to a lever, it has a cable that operates it from the trans. When you move the shifter on the console, the sleeve will turn...you can see it move, just like it would with a column shift lever. A lot of times, when the cable is messed up, and you can't get the key out, you can reach up by hand and twist the sleeve on the column, and get the key to turn to "lock", and remove the key.
Hope this makes sense. If I get time today, I'll take a pic or two of the set-up...it might help.

Sher enuff - I can put the car all the way thru da gears while in Lock. I do have the firewall mount, but no attachment eye off of the column....where that part is, I donno...

Edited by LukesVette - February 07 2010 at 2:52pm

Checked my very spotty tank sticker - Car was built in St Louis and delivered to White Allen Chevrolet, Dayton Oh. - I don't see an export code listed in the options.