97 grand am automatic gear shifter stuck in reverse!

[princejetyte]

i've bene looking everywhere and i can't seem to find an answer anywhere. i hope someone can help me.

a few hours ago i pulled up into my driveway like i always do. i step on the brake to move the shifter from D(rive) to P(ark) but along the way up ithe stick got stuck in reverse gear.

The ignition will turn on and off which it can normally only do when it's in Park but the engine won't crank now.

On top of that I noticed the "theft sys" light on the dashboard came on. Is it possible the anti-theft system is somehow jamming the car?

I don't know. soemone please help. It's sunday night so no shops anywhere are open till tomorrow and I'd liek to have an idea of what's wrong so I don't get ripped off.

[princejetyte]

oh did i mention the shifter is stuck in reverse? it won't budge to any other gear even when you step on the brake like your'e supposed to.

[abaird]

Is the shifter on the column or on the center console? If it is on the console then maybe the button on the shifter is broke. This happened to a buddy of mine recently on his 95 grand prix. His quick fix was just taking the shifter handle off and he rigged a plastic tube, sealed on one end, over the end of the stick so he could depress the button manually. At least his was in park when it happened. Otherwise something could be wrong with the linkage. Hopefully I helped. If you need more info just ask.

[princejetyte]

yes the stick is on the console between the seats.
i hear clivking whenever i try to push the button but it still won't budge.
and that PassLock "theft sys" light iss till there every tiem i turn the car on

[princejetyte]

ok here's what's going on
1)the car turns ON but it won't crank because it's not in Park
2) i definitely hear a clicking noise coming from the steering column everytime i tap the button on the shift knob
3)that infernal "Theft sys" light stays on!!!

[abaird]

i would geuss the light is one because the car isn't in park. I would bet the button is broken, you might be able to hear it click but that doesn't mean it is working. Those things are notorios for breaking, my brothers 94 cougar had the same problem. On my friends grand prix I was surprised how much force it took to depress the rod inside the stick that the button pushes down easily. Thats why he had to rig the plastic tube to give him some leverage. If you have any questions about what I'm talking about just ask it is kind of hard to explain.

[princejetyte]

hey thanks. well i guess there's not much else i can do. i'll just have to take it somehwere to get it looked at and be inevitably gouged for it

[abaird]

hey I just had an idea, I read someones post in the chevrolet forum about the battery being bad and causing security issues. I have heard that on newer cars you can reset the computer if you disconnect the battery and leave it disonnected for an hour and then hook it back up. if it doesn't work you aren't out any money at least.