You cannot you will need to replace the gear shift cables (there are two) because they are stretched. You can check under the lever inside the car to see if the linkage has some-how become loose.
loosen the bolt on the lever, remove the lever and replace in the new angle, then retighten.
Assuming your car has column shift, to adjust the shifter cable according to my factory service manual: Under the hood: Lift up the locking button on the fixed part of the shift cable. It is black on my car. Inside the car put the shift lever into the neutral position. Under the hood put the shift control lever in neutral Push the lock button back down.
700r4 gear shift lever want lock in place
Adjust or replace the back up light switch, located somewhere next to the shift lever.
on the selector at the trans. 15 or 13mm wrench to loosen and just move very slightly
Place the gearshift lever in the (D) position and hang a 1.4 kg (3 lb) weight on the shift control selector lever. Move the gearshift lever to the first gear position, then move back two detents to the (D) position. Hang the 1.4 kg (3 lb) weight on the gearshift lever. Raise and support the vehicle. Disconnect the transmission shift cable from the manual control lever. Pull out the transmission shift cable adjustment lock on the shift cable body. Place the manual control lever in the (D) position. 1 Rotate the manual control lever fully counterclockwise. 2 Rotate the manual control lever clockwise to the (D) position. (2 detents). Connect the transmission shift cable to the manual control lever. Push in the transmission shift cable adjustment lock on the shift cable body. Note: If equipped with air suspension, reactivate the system by turning on the air suspension switch. Lower the vehicle. Remove the 1.4 kg (3 lb) weight. CAUTION: To prevent damage, do not adjust the transmission shift cable in any position other than (D). Verify that the vehicle will start only in P or N and that backup lamps illuminate in R. If not, repeat steps 1 through 7 and perform a digital transmission range sensor alignment.
bark lever
Follow the gear shift lever down, locate 2 bolts, loosen them, adjust the lever, retighten the bolts. The clutch itself is replaced as a unit ($400) last time I checked, when mine breaks I'll tear it down and take picts as I do so for everyone.
Check for play in the shift lever and linkage. If is shows signs of play or looseness adjust it, or, perhaps it lacks or has too much lubrication at the joints and friction points.
The shift level is locked by the shift solenoid. When you step on the brake, the brake switch sends power to the shift solenoid and it moves a lever to unlock the shifter. If either the switch or solenoid is bad, you can't shift out of park.
Please be aware that for 1979 - 1981 Pontiac Firebird/Trans Am models no unique service manuals were created. Instead, model year-specific supplement manuals were printed, which detailed new data specific to their respective model years. In other words, because the shift knob assemblies from 1979 - 1981 models were no different from the 1978 model year, the 1979 supplement manual refers the user to the 1978 service manual. This is why the "7B-21_pic" service manual image says it's from the "1978 PONTIAC SERVICE MANUAL". automatic transmission SHIFT CONTROL LEVER - R & R (Fig. 7B-23) 1. Release shift control lever by inserting a thin rule or a piece of .015" - .020" shim stock into socket along side base of shift control lever on driver's side. 2. Insert rule or stock to depth of at least one inch to unlock its bayonet retainer and lift control lever and tool up out of shift socket. 3. Install shift control lever by inserting into shift socket. Bayonet retainer will lock control lever automatically into proper position. manual transmission SHIFT CONTROL ASSEMBLY - REPAIR (Fig. 7B-21) 1. Remove shift lever shaft retainer and shaft from control lever housing. Then, remove shift control lever assembly from control lever housing. 2. Note position of spacers in relation to shift levers and remove spacers and shift levers from control lever housing. 3. Remove spring bracket and spring from shift control lever assembly. 4. Remove retainer and control lever pivot pin from shift control lever assembly and separate control lever bracket from shift control lever. 5. Clean and inspect all components. Replace all worn, cracked or broken parts as necessary. NOTE: If necessary to remove reverse lever adjusting screw, grind or chisel off the weld and remove screw from control lever bracket. 6. If adjusting screw were removed, position shift control lever bracket and install pivot pin and retainer. Install reverse lever adjusting screw but do not weld at this time. NOTE: Lubricate all levers and spacers with water repellant-type of lubricant such as lubriplate or equivalent. 7. Install shift levers and spacers in control lever housing. 8. Install spring bracket and spring in control lever bracket and shift control lever assembly into control lever housing, making sure lever engages shift levers. 9. Install shift lever shaft and retainer. 10. If removed, adjust reverse lever adjusting screw as follows: a. Position shift control lever in 1st-2nd shift lever and touching interlock plate spacer between 1st-2nd and reverse shift levers. b. Hold reverse selector rod agains the adjusting screw, tightening screw to eliminate any contact of the control finger as it travels across neutral gate of interlock plate spacer. c. Weld screw securely in place. http://hotfile.com/dl/26587081/fa5f595/7B-23_words_and_pic.jpg.html http://hotfile.com/dl/26586993/c9e8897/7B-21_pic.jpg.html http://hotfile.com/dl/26587044/b143eef/7B-21_words.jpg.html
check the brake pedal switch