Omg..Shifting Problems!!

[lilsweets3138]

I don't know whats wrong with my dang car but it's been having problems shifting. Two days ago I went to the post office to drop something in the mail box so I put my car in park and mailed my stuff came back and tried to put it in drive and it would not for the life of me budge. So I'm like what the hell..I wiggled the shifter and about 5 minutes later it moved and I was able to drive home. After I got home I wanted to check If it would do it again and it did.

I never had this problem before so this is new. I have an automatic and everything is stock in that area.

Someone had mentioned "Clutch Fluid" so I checked that and it does need to be filled,could this be the problem??

So anyone who knows what could be the problem please let me know because I don't need to be getting stuck somewhere because my car is being weird.

Thanks again,
Christina

[kwk39018]

Frist of all if you have a automatic you dont need Clutch Fluid you need tranny fluid.Check the tranny fliud if it is low add some but not to much.Second check your linkage might be lose or stretched.
I am not tring to sound like a ass, just whated to correct you.

[Classicrocjunkie]

Lets start easy...

Automatic or 5 speed?

[lilsweets3138]

It's an automatic and thanks for letting me know.And how do I check the linkage?

[Classicrocjunkie]

there is a 10mm bolt on top of the transmission housing with a metal bracket and cable attached to it. Thats your shift cable selector. Grab the cable behind it and give it a good wiggle and move it around. See of that helps.

[lilsweets3138]

Okay..I don't mean to sound stupid but where is the transmission or what does it look like??
2.2L 4Cylinder 97 Cavalier

And here is some other things that might be causing this issure that I think you should know so that you guys can help me figure out my problem.

Problem Areas:
1.I just had a new JVC head unit installed and noticed about 5 days later the shifting problem started.
2.My horn use to be a loud BEEP and now it is a muffled "BURP" sound.
3.Driver side headlight is DULL
4.After I am able to shift,while I am driving I can hear the shifter make a noise as IF it was being shift once but don't feel anything diffrent.

Mechanic Opinions:

Here is what several mechanics said it COULD be-
1.Linkage Chain (where is this located?)
2.Brake Pedal Fuse(I found this,I need to check it)
3.Solenoid Fuse (Where is this located?)
4.Might need Brake switch(Please explain what this is)
5.Shifter is not getting enough power

What Iv'e been able to check was the horn fuse and all the other fuses on the driver side.They are all still good. I don't mean to bug everyone it's just that I want to try and fix this myself and not have to pay thousands of dollars(thats what a mechanic said) so any help at all I greatly appreciate it and thankyou all so much!

-Christina

[jakegday]

its that bigass chunk of steel connected to the back side of your engine, and if it is indeed a transmission problem, there is very very little you will be able to do yourself. transmissions, especially automatic transmissions are some tricky sons of bitches that only well qualified techs should mess with

[Helmuth48]

Hey Lass...this post makes my head spin. Stick to one problem at at time. You are driving me to drinkin!!! Naw, I already drink.....

Transmission Linkage..... yes, check trans fluid level, hot with engine running in park..... Clutch fluid....you dont have a clutch...But instead have some of the Amber fluid !!!

Bite the bullet and go to a Transmission shop and have them check it out the linkage issue. Maybe a minor adjustment or easy repair.

And most important...Find a new mechanic....from what I read that Yank must be on Crack !!! I am surprised he did not ask you to check the Dome light fuse!!

Cheers Lass...have a Fosters' day !!!
JzJzz.... and the Man from Down Under...