My 96 blazer will not shift into park. We had to pull the dash to rehook up a vacuum line for the air, which meant we lowered the steering column. Once everything was back together, the key got stuck in the ignition, got that fixed and drove it twice. Came out from the store and the car wouldn't start only to find the reason was it was in reverse, wiggled the shifter and it went right into park, now its home and it won't go at all into park. Everything is fine with the transmission, shifts into every gear properly, just won't hit park unless you do it underneath or push the cable by the steering column.
Please help!! Been 3 days at this, and not sure what is causing it. Thanks in advance

 

A quick search for "gear+shift+linkage" produced this thread:
Wont go into park! Everything else OK.

 

This sounds like an alignment problem. When your key got "stuck" what did you do to release it? Were you forceful or did you get it to release with finesse? Sounds like when you dropped the column you caused a misalignment with the shift cable. If it were me, I would pull the steering wheel pull all plastic panels from the column and trace the shift cable to the top where it meets the lever and check contact point and see what that looks like.

 

The key was the brake lock cable, the silve piece had popped out, so it did come out with finesse.

Everything from the carpet to the shifter looks good, could something be out of alignment beyond that, we adjusted the shift cable underneath, still same problem. We believe it has to do with dropping the coloumn, everything was perfect 3 days ago except the air conditioning.
Like I said it worked when everything went back together the first time, I even drove it twice, so it is extremely frustrating.
Thanks for all your help

Also wanted to add, it goes thru every gear just fine on the shifter until you get back to park, then the shifter is mushy feeling like theres nothing there. But you can shift it into park underneath or thru the cable under the steering column, and its fine until you take it out of park.

 

OK, finesse is a good thing, that means nothing was broken after words. I am not sure it is relavent to this case but, have you checked the Brake to sifter lock? (the lock that keeps the shifter from leaving park until you step on the brake). I am not sure if this will cause the "mushy" feel at the top of travel, but it is worth looking at until something better comes alog. Hope it helps!

 

Still nothing, wondering if anyone else can make some suggestions, thanks

 

Well I am at a loss man! Sorry, but unless I could put my hands on it I am afraid I am out of ideas. OOPs no I'm not, trade it for an older truck and these problems magically go away!!! LOL just kidding around. Good luck man!

 

Thanks, gonna try and trade it in..sick of working on cars

 

same happening too mine but i dint have the key problem at all. how do i adjust the shift cable underneath?? its night time now but will tinker with it tomorrow