Moving a FWD car stuck in Park.

[greywolf]

So long story short, got a car I was loaned stuck at a 3rd party house and while the car will start, it won't shift out of Park.

The plan is basically get it back here, let the person who loaned the car to me know of the situation and they can organise what to do with it from there.

The location of the car is on an unpaved private driveway, small decline (less than 2 degrees). I'm hesitant to jack it up, but I can if I have to. My best idea so far is to remove the drive shafts from the front wheels, then winch it onto a trailer.

The model of the car is an 2000-2003 (not sure precisely ) Holden Astra. As far as I'm aware the transmission is fully electronic, so nothing simple like a broken linkage I can patch to get it into gear.

Looking for some advice on how to get it moving again, if only onto the back of a trailer or driving again to get it back here *approx 25kms*.

I should also point out there is plenty of automatic transmission fluid, it's clear with no signs of contamination.

[CrUZida]

Just organise a tow truck dude.
One of the old F150 style ones.
He'll lift the whole front of the car up, tow it with the front wheels in the air.

[lexsmaz]

Not sure on these model cars but it sounds like it has lost power to the lock out solonoid on the T-bar selector, most cars that i have come across of similar age have a button etc on the gearshift gate area that you can push down which will manually unlock the t-bar & allow you to select a gear ..

Check that the stop lights are working as the lock out switch works off the stop light switch power, also just checking with you that you are actually depressing the brake pedal as you try & get it out of gear & do these things with the motor running & maybe even the door needs to be shut & the seat belt on, not sure on those last 2 thoughts though but worth a try as they try to make car's safer these days so you can't just accidently take it out of Park ..

The other option is ring a Dealer ship & ask some questions, but basically don't go down the path of the driveshaft removal that you mentioned ...

[greywolf]

I have been using the stop pedal as described, and the door closed and seatbelt engaged. I'll take off the console to check out the lock out solonoid, and will check the stop lights but all the fuses did check out as normal.

The tow truck idea is a no go, just don't have the money to pay for it.

[CELICASUPRA7M]

might be quicker and easier to pop the linkage off where it attaches to the transmission, then just click it 2 positions around to neutral.

[AndyTTR]

+1 for the lock-out solenoid not disengaging. Normally there's a manual way to override the lock-out somewhere (like sticking the key in a slot hidden away somewhere). Have a look in the owner's manual?

[wa5]

I have as Automatic Holden Astra 2004. I can not get the gear - JustAnswer

or just burn it... they are a piece of crap.....

[Sam_Q]

I got around a problem like this once, I just removed one of the two driveshafts, no LSD = no problem

[Gary]

id try messing with the linkage first as mentioned, but if that doesnt work, use dishwashing detergent/oil/soap/tyreshine on the front tyres (edit, and on the ramps and trailer bed) and then winch it into a trailer like normal will take a little more effort on the winch, but it'll be within the capability of most winches you find on servo car trailers

[litldv8]

or just burn it... they are a piece of crap.....

amen to that
neil

[eeeyan]

There is a way to get it out of park without starting it Mechanics at holden should be able to tell you.

I know my bro told me once (Ex Holden Mechanic) but i forget what it is.

[Dale]

Don't remove the driveshafts and roll the car unless you want to put new front wheel bearings in it for the owner...

[LeeRoy]

Yeah, driveshafts are not something you should remove.

Like Dale said the outer part holds the wheel bearing tight, the inner part keeps the oil in the box. While you could remove the uni joints so the cups with the splines are still in their respective holes you'd have to regrease and clean all the shafts or at the very least put the boots back on and regrease the uni.

What about jacking one of the front wheels up and wheeling it around like that. This way you get some steering and brakes but you'd need two people to do it. Although I guess you'll need two people anyway if you have to push it.

[thechuckster]

Mcdonalds trays under front wheels, drag to desired location and set fire to it?

[scottreichstein]

Mcdonalds trays under front wheels, drag to desired location and set fire to it?

i agree then when its going put the trays under the back wheels and teach it a lesson