I have a 1974 Bonneville with automatic transmission. It has not been
driven for almost a year and a half. I tried to start it recently and
it seems to be in reverse instead of park. The gear shift is in park
though. I have never had a problem with the transmission before. I
don't understand how the car would somehow move into reverse and get
stuck there when it hasn't been driven or moved. I'm not really that
knowledgeable with transmissions. Does anyone have any ideas of
something I could try without taking it to a mechanic?

Sounds like something is locked up in the trans, make sure the linkage is in
the right position for park at the trans , disconnect it if necessary.
<blueshagdorag (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote



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You can fix anything in this system without a mechanic. No problem. Are
you ready to get underneath? Here is some info to help you:

On the side of the transmission, there is a going to be a adjustment that
allows you to match the shifter to the tranny. You can take this loose and
you can put the transmission in any gear with the bracket under the car. It
should be very obvious to you how this moves. The adjustment is set in
park. You put the transmission in park, and the shifter in park, and then
you lock it down.

Second, when we say "park" what we mean is that a little hammer inside the
transmission sticks into some teeth on a wheel and holds it so it won't
move. You need to consider what you mean by "park". You may want to tell
us too. Your note doesn't give any information about why you think it's not
in park, and it also fails to mention any information about why you think
it's in reverse. Be specific.

<blueshagdorag (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

The reason why I said it was stuck in reverse is because it was moving
backwards when I gave it gas. Anyways I figured out the problem. When
I got underneath it I noticed that the rod connecting the shifter to
that bracket was loose. I'm not sure how it came off since the bolt
was still on it, but that was the problem. Thanks for the replies.