96 K2500 Suburban won't shift out of Park. Any ideas beyond fuse fixes?

[stutaeng]

I appreciate everyone trying to help us fix this issue. Truck runs, brake lights work, and the transmission will shift on the transmission without the cable end attached. A dealer mentioned replacing a solenoid on the steering column but was unable to describe its actual location. Can someone provide this information?

There were several good recommendations but I need to understand where the kickplate resides? It it the black metal panel under the steering column you're referring. Do I need to disassemble the pad under the steering wheel too?

Do any of these repairs put me in danger of the air bag?

No issue with airbag, that stuff is inside the steering wheel. This solenoid is basically connected to the shift lever on the side of the steering column.

There's 2 little ball joints and the interlock solenoid is one of them. It locks based on signal from the brake pedal switch, so that if brake pedal isn't pressed, it won't allow you to shift out of park. If you get to it and pop it off the ball joint it will allow you to shift.

 

[96 WarWagon]

We got the transmission cable replaced. It was frozen. Thanks for the help in understanding all the mechanisms.

 

[Schurkey]

We got the transmission cable replaced. It was frozen.

MOST LIKELY, it was NOT "frozen". It was probably "WELDED" because the cable is acting as a ground for the engine/transmission assembly.

VERIFY ALL ENGINE/TRANSMISSION GROUNDS, clean and tighten/replace as needed. Otherwise you'll weld the new shift cable, too.

The transmission shop I went to last summer for a trans overhaul automatically installs a ground cable from bellhousing bolt to frame rail on every vehicle they rebuild the transmission on. They did a nice job--decent size conductor, polished the frame rail where they drilled 'n' tapped for the hold-down bolt.