Well I asked this one and now i will also answer it. It is one of the cables going from the shifter to the transmission broke
To change a shifter cable in a Pontiac Sunbird, first, ensure the vehicle is in park and disconnect the battery to prevent electrical issues. Remove the center console to access the shifter assembly, then detach the old cable from the shifter and transmission linkage by unfastening any clips or bolts. Install the new cable by reversing the removal process, ensuring it's properly secured and adjusted before reassembling the console and reconnecting the battery. Finally, test the shifter to ensure smooth operation.
Changing transmission cables on a 2006 Pontiac vibe
I have the similar situation on my shifter on my 1991 pontiac sunbird 2.0 Liter. The shifter was kinda loose last two year, but it shifted fine. However, 2 days ago. When I put in "Park" gear, it was still moving forward, I put in "Rear" gear, it felt like in "Park", when I put in "Drive" gear, it felt like in "neutral". And the shifter is sometimes very loose, but back to normal when I put the shifter back and forth. I took it to a transmission store, they found out the "shift linkage cable" from the shift to the transmission was broken. I changed it today and so far no problem.
You can remove the linkage from the shifter to the transmission and manually shift transmission.
transmission shift bolt loose try pushing gear shifter all the way back to park
install transmission shifter assembly
It is very easy, first turn the key to the on position but do not start the car, then move the shifter as far back as you can. Finally take a screwdriver and put it behind the clip in the back of the shifter knob then the knob will slide right off
Is your transmission an automatic, or a manual? I guess in either case, I'd suspect the shifter cable, or it's adjustment. Of course, something inside the transmission may have failed. Take your car to a good mechanic and have the problem diagnosed.
The shifter cable connects the shifter to the transmission.
To disconnect the transmission linkage on a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am SE, first, ensure the vehicle is safely supported and the battery is disconnected. Locate the transmission linkage, which is typically connected to the transmission and the gear shifter inside the vehicle. Use a socket or wrench to remove any bolts securing the linkage, and then carefully detach the linkage from both the transmission and the shifter mechanism. Be cautious not to damage any surrounding components during the process.
The 1987 Pontiac Trans Am shifter knob is held in place with a retaining clip below the shifter knob. Push the retaining clip together and the shifter knob will raise off.
This should be really simple, if you've already removed all of the bolts which hold the shifter in including the one behind the shifter hole in the trans, the shifter should slide right down into the transmission (provided the transmission was in neutral when you pulled the shifter)