Car Talk #2551: Gus's GMC Pickup Won't Shift into Park

The Mystery of the Stuck Gearshift

• 🚗 Gus from Scotch Plains, New Jersey, has an 82 GMC pickup inherited from a friend that refuses to shift into park.
• ⚙️ Despite disconnecting linkage and performing adjustments, the transmission only goes into park when manipulated from underneath.
• 🛠️ Gus has disassembled the steering column, but the issue persists, suggesting a problem with the geometry of the linkage or a bent/out-of-position component.

Potential Causes for the Shifting Issue

• 💥 A broken motor mount or transmission mount could cause the entire engine and transmission assembly to shift, affecting linkage alignment.
• 🔩 The frame itself might be twisted, or a broken weld could be throwing off the geometry, preventing proper engagement of the park gear.
• 💡 The hosts suggest that if fixing the original linkage is too complex, installing an aftermarket floor shifter could be a viable solution.

Fiona's Exhaust Noise Quandary

• 💨 Fiona from Clarkston, Michigan, reports an exhaust noise on her 91 Pro GT that sounds like a hole in the muffler when cold, changing to a whistle when warm.
• 🔊 The noise occurs only during acceleration and can be replicated by revving the engine with the clutch pressed in, even when the car is stationary.
• 🔍 Click and Clack diagnose this as a cracked exhaust manifold, where the crack expands and closes with temperature changes, altering the sound from a leak to a whistle.

Richard's Loss of Power Problem

• 📉 Richard from Conifer, Colorado, is experiencing a loss of power in his 91 Chevy S10 pickup, particularly when driving uphill.
• 💡 Initial attempts to fix the issue included changing the fuel filter and replacing the MAP sensor, but the problem has worsened.
• ⚠️ The check engine light has been flashing intermittently during the problem, suggesting potential issues with the oxygen sensor, a weak fuel pump, or a clogged catalytic converter.

Marlene's Toyota Celica Starting Woes

• 🚫 Marlene from Montreal, Canada, has a Toyota Celica that won't restart after stopping on long trips, requiring a push start.
• 💡 Previous repairs included replacing the distributor cap and starter, but these did not resolve the issue.
• ⚡ The hosts suspect a failing starter solenoid that is affected by heat, causing a failure to engage when the engine is warm.

Tim's Fiat Spider Starting Difficulty

• 🔧 Tim from Manassas, Virginia, has a 1980 Fiat 2000 Spider that won't start after a loud noise and a few notches slipped on the timing belt.
• ❓ The mechanic's estimate of $750 to replace the belt and tensioner was deemed too high, and despite the repair, the car still won't start.
• 📊 A compression test is recommended to confirm if the valves were bent due to the timing belt issue, as this would explain the lack of starting.

Carly's Vanagon Tire Wear Issue

• ⚠️ Carly from Ewing, New Jersey, has an 87 Vanagon that is excessively wearing out the inside of its rear tires on long trips.
• 💥 A recent incident involved a steel belt protruding from the tire, indicating severe wear.
• 🚗 The hosts believe this is due to a bent rear axle or frame damage, likely from hitting a curb, causing severe misalignment that needs professional attention from an alignment or body shop.