SPARTAN VI

Just started today when I was about to leave work. I tried to switch to reverse and I hear this terrible grinding noise, not to mention resistance that's never been there. So when I get home and park, I hear this squeeky noise instead, and again with the resisitance. It seems the shifter sticks when I try to pull it out of park, but moving upward is fine.

The car itself seems fine, no wierd noises or movements, everything I hear is coming from the shifter. Here I took a video of it:

http://media.putfile.com/Problem61

Already called the dealership about the problem. Their techs aren't in on the weekends, so I have to take time out of my weekdays to get this fixed... almost impossible if they don't provide a loaner.

Is it possible for this to be normal? I can't believe I wouldn't notice this had it happened sooner.

Thanks for all your help guys.

korinwoodo

No, somethings probally all borked up. The dealers probally your best bet.

Hambone

Good gracious...that sounds bad. Wish i could offer up some help, but other than "see your nearest dealer"...don't know what to say.

Please let us know what you find out and how they fix it, etc.

SPARTAN VI

My baby's hurt! Oh noes!

I'll be sure to keep you guys updated. Look like it's back to the shop for me- was there last for my gas tank and they took ages..

Anyone have any idea how difficult this would be to fix? Hopefully they replace the entire thing, I'm starting to get that white residue so a brand new shifter would be nice.

korinwoodo

Might be a good idea NOT to put it in reverse on the way to the dealer as well. Try to put it in neutral and roll off your driveway.

SPARTAN VI

Just got off the phone with the local dealership- Puente Hills Ford. The technician, Jerry, said that usually with the automatics, the black piece that's surrounding the shifter "binds." He has no idea how long it can take assuming it's something more serious (I believe so, as I've never felt it grind like that before).

I wonder how this could've happened.

korinwoodo

If it was grinding the freaking gears, its definitly not some little piece of plastic crap. Dont let the dealer give you some crap answer.

SPARTAN VI

Of course he'll have to look at it to properly diagnose it... but it's definitely more serious than he made it sound (clutch crapped out). I'll probably be going to the dealership by my work place as I can drop it off there and walk to work. I really don't want to deal with Puente Hills Ford... :notnice:

korinwoodo

Sounds like a good plan. Usually dealers will give you a free loaner, at least GM dealers around here . Might be worth it to push for it. Hopefully its a minor thing and your tranny isnt crapped out.

SPARTAN VI

*crossing my fingers*

Thanks for your input, really appreciated it.

korinwoodo

Np. Hope it all works out.

SPARTAN VI

Barely 7,900 miles and already two visits. :bang:

Gash05

man that was seriously painful to watch...

SPARTAN VI

I almost filming that.

ManEHawke

I don't think it's the trans if you said it operates fine. To be sure you can shift through it with the key in the on position, engine off. (you can do this right?)
If it makes the same noise then it definately has nothing to do with the transmission.
Do you park your car in a slope and do you ever rely on your park position to hold the car in place w/o parking brake?

islandmustang

i had my shifer replaced on my car cuz the slider things got stuck and there would be a big hole in the shifter. My girlfriend spilled some solda in the area so thats why it was stuck.

The dealer will just give u a new one.

SPARTAN VI

Haven't tried shifting with the car off, I'll try that in a minute, though.

I do back my car onto the driveway, so I park on a slope, and I always use my parking brake when I park. I'm paranoid that something will knock my car loose and it'll roll into something (it happened when my mom brought my car to Walmart for a flat).

[edit] Ok, just tested it with the car off. Still making that noise.

The second thing I started to think of is, 'what caused this?' The only think I've done differently lately was.. two days ago I parked on a very steep hill (maybe 50 degrees), used my parking brake, like always, though. Yesterday I let my sister drive my car to the Taco Bell, but she didn't do anything wrong... however, on the drive back, her soda overflowed in the cup holder and some DID get on my shifter. Hmm... :scratch:

SPARTAN VI

Well...had to get a haircut today and... shifter's fine? No more grinding noise, doesn't stink, no squeek. Seems to have fixed itself.. for now anyway.

Fixed video:

http://media.putfile.com/Problem-Fixed39