gear shift is stuck, dash lights working, but says in drive. Care will not start Please help!?

Question

I parked my 2002 Chevy Trailblazer, turned off ignition, put car in park. But dash says still in drive. When I was getting out of the car, it rolled backward and I set the emergency brakes. After returning from the store, put key in ignition, car would not start.. dash still reads in drive.

Answer 1

Sounds like the shift cable broke.

Answer 2

Sounds like you broke the shift tube in the steering column. Leave the parking brake on lift the hood where the steering column comes into the engine compartment there is a arm that goes off under the car you need to move that one click into neutral and it will start. Then move it back one click and you will be in drive. If this sounds to dangerous call the tow truck to take it to the shop.

Answer 3

you have 2 very good replies, and one of those is slightly dangerous, but will work. i agree with gregg, it sounds like a linkage/ cable issue. the trailblazer sits high enough off the ground that if you, or some one you trust, crawls under there the problem should be self evident. could be that the selector cable or linkage has just come off of the shift arm on the tranny. stupid engineers and their plastic parts.