97 Blazer Stuck in Park

[ChevyFamily]

Changed the brakes and rotors on my 97 Blazer and when I went to take it for a test drive I was unable to get it out of park. I was able to get it to start but could not get it to switch gears. When I depress the brake pedal and press the button on the shifter I can hear a click from the dash area which sounds normal but it will not move.

My dad got down and messed with the transmission linkage I think and then we removed the console cover and found the little level you can press to allow the shifter to move. By pressing on that lever I can get it into N and R but thats it. It even has a hard time shifting into P. Called it a night and logged on here hoping someone might have some suggestions.

I have seen some posts about the linkage, brake switch, and the ignition.

We checked all the fuses and my brakes lights and dash lights do come on. Any ideas?

[ChevyFamily]

Update, still not working but this is what I have done. I got under the blazer and disconnected the linkage cable off the transmission shift lever. By moving the lever sticking out the side of the transmission I can freely shift it into any gear which makes me feel a lot better knowing the transmission isn't frozen up.

I removed the locking pin which should allow me to move the linkage cable to adjust but I am unable to move it.

I put the trans in N and hopped into the car and was able to start it. I then tried to move the shifter (console type) and it wouldn't move. I used the lever to manually release the safety servo and I am only able to move the shifter back to R. This is with the linkage cable still disconnected under the car. I popped the linkage cable off the console shifter at the ball joint to see if I could move the shifter to all gears and I am able to.

Pulling on the linkage cable from the top I can only move it about an inch. This leads me to believe that it is stuck somewhere. I am not sure why the servo isn't working though. Could the servo be preventing the linkage from moving too? I am pressing the brake pedal in when I try to shift out of park and I can hear the normal clunk from the dash area. Also my brake lights are working still so not sure what it is. Please help, missing work to fix this pain in my butt.

[ChevyFamily]

I have been having some issues with my 97 Blazer. This all started with not being able to get the car out of park. I disconnected the transmission linkage where it connect to the trans and I am able to put the transmission into gear manually easily. I then disconnected the linkage cable at the shifter (console type) and I was able to easily move the shifter to al gears. I then reconnected the cables and I am now able to move the shifter into gear but I have to apply way more force then normal to get it to shift. It also gets harder to shift the further down I go. Going from P to R and N and OD are not to hard but getting it into 3, 2, and 1 gear are pretty difficult to do. Also the BTSI (brake transmission shift interlock) may be bad as well. I have to push the override switch to get it to allow me to take it out of park.

Both problems at the same time? One related to the other? Can the linkage cable go bad?

[Jerry80871852]

Only trouble I ever had was years ago with a Camaro auto floor shift, would not go in reverse, replace the cable.

So really I have no idea for I have not messed with these.

Is yours on that the shift leave will not move until you press on the brake pedal? If so I would suspect that something has gone wrong and when you press the brake pedal its not releasing it.

Wish I could be of more help.

[ChevyFamily]

Gave up and took it to the dealer. Going to be $540 to replace the linkage cable from the shifter to the trans and to find and repair a broken wire somewhere that is preventing power from making it to the BTSI switch. Suck.

[Jerry80871852]

Wow, they sure are proud of that cable. Sometimes when one has to have the vehicle that's the only way to go. I've had to do so a few times myself.