98V70 NA - Cant shift into drive - key stuck in ignition

Post by **98v70dad** » 11 Nov 2016, 13:56

Today I replaced the front and rear hydraulic engine mounts and the lower torque rod. It went without a hitch and took me about 4 hours. The engine was riding pretty low. I had to lift it a good bit to get the mounts in.

I started the car and started to back up and remembered a tool I had left on the driveway. I tried to put the car in drive to pull forward. The car wont shift into drive. Pushing the override button on the console doesn't help. The key is also stuck in the ignition...wont come out.

The only issue I had when working was I disconnected the battery before I started but I was working with a 24 inch extension and it rolled off if the top of the engine and shorted the hot terminal on the battery against something. I don't know what it was because it was over in a flash.

Where do I begin...it has to be something fairly simple? I am kind of stuck though. My wife has the other car for a week and I have no way to get around until my daughter gets home in a few hours.

Post by **98v70dad** » 11 Nov 2016, 15:33

I just fiddled with it for a half hour and the key came out The key comes out reliably now....I studied it a bit and to clarify it wont shift past reverse. The shifter will go into reverse but it doesn't click into nuetral. It just stops at the N and it feels mechanical, like the mechanism cant go any further. I can hear the shift lock solenoid clicking when I step on the brake.

i replaced the shifter knob with the IPD kit about 6 years ago and the ignition switch at about the same time.

Saturday morning update: I took the air filter box off and it looks like the 3 inch lever at the end of the shift cable and on top of the transmission is bent enough that it hits the transmission housing. I would guess thats the source of my problem. Myfirst thought was to try prying itup with a pry bar. However access isnt great and the part is made of really stout material.. Probably the best thing to do is to remove the battery tray and then remove the lever (assuming that it will come off) and flatten it in my workshop on an anvil.

Before I remove the battery and tray, does that lever come off the cable assembly? It feels like it might be riveted on.

Post by **sleddriver** » 11 Nov 2016, 19:18

Search on "PNP". See your other thread.

Post by **98v70dad** » 12 Nov 2016, 09:02

Saturday morning update: I took the air filter box off and it looks like the 3 inch lever at the end of the shift cable and on top of the transmission is bent enough that it hits the transmission housing. I would guess thats the source of my problem. Myfirst thought was to try prying itup with a pry bar. However access isnt great and the part is made of really stout material.. Probably the best thing to do is to remove the battery tray and then remove the lever (assuming that it will come off) and flatten it in my workshop on an anvil.

Before I remove the battery and tray, does that lever come off the cable assembly? It feels like it might be riveted on.

Post by **erikv11** » 12 Nov 2016, 09:19

As I recall the lever comes off completely. On the PNP end it is bolted to the post of the PNP, on the cable end there is a clip.

Post by **98v70dad** » 12 Nov 2016, 09:44

erikv11 wrote:As I recall the lever comes off completely. On the PNP end it is bolted to the post of the PNP, on the cable end there is a clip.

How hard would it be to get that clip off without taking out the battery and battery tray? The nut on mine is badly corroded. I need to go hit it with some penetrating oil.... a good excuse to stay inside for another hour. Its cold out there (for Atlanta) this morning.

Post by **sleddriver** » 12 Nov 2016, 10:06

Oil or a torch will work to loosen that rusted nut.

Good to hear you found the source of your problem. Odd that though. Obviously it got hung up while jacking and bent. Perhaps the trans. wasn't in Park?

Post by **98v70dad** » 12 Nov 2016, 10:31

sleddriver wrote:Oil or a torch will work to loosen that rusted nut.

Good to hear you found the source of your problem. Odd that though. Obviously it got hung up while jacking and bent. Perhaps the trans. wasn't in Park?

I put the jack under the transmission since it resulted in the most level life. Unfortunately by doing that the engine didn't have the opportunity to tip when it hit the obstruction. The lever on mine is badly corroded - apparently the previous owner had a battery problem ..Maybe the corroded part bent easier than normal. With the new mounts in and loaded there is only about an inch of room between the lever and the bottom of the battery tray. It is an inevitable interference on my car since you have to jack the car several inches above the neutral position to get the mounts in. Maybe the battery tray on the turbos is different. Anyhow at least I know whats wrong -easily fixed. Hopefully the part wont snap when I bend it back..

I've been outside putting on penetrating oil and looking more closely. I think taking the battery out is the way to go. Otherwise I'll be out there 3 hours try to put on that clip by feel.

Post by **sleddriver** » 12 Nov 2016, 12:03

I never hesitate to remove anything getting in my way of something else. First, it minimizes frustration. Second, my hands are too big to fit into small places anyway. I also removed the fan + shroud to get to the first mount. So much easier.

Check the status of your cruise vac lines while you have the battery tray out. This would be an excellent time to replace if crumbly.

Post by **98v70dad** » 12 Nov 2016, 15:22

Fixed it - bent lever was easy to remove and bend back. Cruise control lines are remarkably good. Ride is much better but I still have some vibration. The only thing left to address is passenger side drive axle, possible front wheel bearings (doubt it) and sub-frame bushings. I still have to find a source for that aluminum preheated air tube. I tried to stretch mine a little to make up the the tear on one end...didn't work.

I had an exciting early afternoon. When I pried off the lever the transmission slipped out of park and the car started to roll down the driveway. I was fumbling with the key and couldn't stop it. It ended up in the neighbors yard after rolling several hundred feet. No harm done but I was pretty embarrassed. I should have used my wheel chocks but didn't understand how easily the car would shift out of park. Lesson learned. I'll know better next time.