I'm mechanically challenged and am just hoping for a narrowing down of what my issue may be and how much it might cost me (how serious is it?) before I take it to the mechanic.

I have a 2003 Cavalier, 4 cyl. Automatic and she is starting to act up on me. The shifter is in the middle between the driver and passenger seats. My transmission seems to be running fine, but I am having issues of shifting her in and out of Park when I am trying to stop or go for the day.

She is fussy about wanting to go into Park and Drive. I finally manage to egt her there, but it's like trying to coax a child and my patience is wearing thin.

The rubber on the gear shift **** is split open now on one side (I can feel it) and something keeps trying to slide out from underneath it. Also, I don't know what it's called, but the little plastic "lane" the shift stick sits in messes up sometimes, and I have to slide the little plastic things around until I hope I made a match and can slide my car into Park again.

Can anyone tell me what the issue is here? I don't think it's my transmission but like I said, I'm not mechanical, and I don't have a lot of money so it's helpful to have an idea what is going on before I go somewhere to have it looked at.

Oh, she has 82,000 miles on her.

Anyone's help on what the problem could be and how much it would cost (a possible range estimate) would be greatly appreciated.


Thank You

Miremi

 

possibly loose or broken shifter linkage,I would send it to a reputable mechanic asap before more serious damage occurs.