Shifting Malfunction

[Sara_Severed]

Ok So the problem that I am having is that when shifting from say Park into Drive, Sometimes the car will either stay in Park or go into any gear in between but not into drive... This is something that has happened maybe a handful of times in the last year or so.
Is this a problem I should get fixed/checked out, if so what might it be? Or is it something that I can just blow off as nothing?
Thanks

[sad-lumina-owner]

I had a /66 Belair that had a shifter on the steering column.

It started to fail shifting, and on the way you to jiggle the shifter to nudge it into gear.

Me and a friend pulled the transmission, but then noticed that the transmission linkage was simply loose, and needed to be cleaned, straightened and tightened up.

The transmission linkage is just a group of metal levers, bars, plates, and screws/grommets that connect your shifter stick to the transmission.

In my case, a hex-key (Allen-key) on a shaft sticking out of the transmission was the main problem. This failed to grip the shaft and turn it.

The transmission itself was fine.

Does your car have a 'floor shifter' on the floor between the front seats, or a 'steering column shifter' that sticks out from the steering wheel?

This may help in locating where the linkage is and what the problem might be.

[Sara_Severed]

The Shifter Is On The Steering Column.

[sad-lumina-owner]

Its important to realise that even though the problem may begin as relatively minor, it may deteriorate into something worse:

For instance, if the linkage is loose or bent, some parts may fall off, making a quick home repair difficult or impossible.

The linkage should lead down through the firewall to the transmission, and hook up on its side near the middle of the car in front of the driver's seat.

It should be visible from below, if you can jack at least one side of the car up higher, or if you know someone with a 'trench' style bay you could walk under the car and examine it from below. Alternately you could borrow a hoist and then look under the car. This will be the natural method of examining and possibly tightening the linkage or adjusting it.

Do you have a friend who can help you with this?

[Sara_Severed]

Well My Father Knows How To Work On Cars And I Am Learning So, I'm Hoping To Not Have Any Problems. But May Have To Take It To A Shop. But I Will Do All i Can Since I Have A Few Other Things I Need To Fix On My Car.