High Effort to Turn Ignition Key/Remove Shift Lever from Park (Replace Shift Control Cable)

Some owners of vehicles that have the transmission shift lever mounted on the steering column may comment that they have difficulty removing the transmission shift lever from the park position. In addition, some may also comment that it takes a high amount of effort to rotate or turn the ignition key.

The steering column mounted transmission linear shift control cable that attaches to the ignition switch may be too long and may also be routed incorrectly.

Replace the steering column mounted transmission linear shift control and cable assembly with a new assembly that has a shorter cable and an adjustment feature. Use the following service procedure for installing and adjusting. For additional information and fastener torque specifications, see the Steering Column sub-section in the Steering section, and the Instrument Panel sub-section in the Body and Accessories section of the appropriate Service Manual.

Impala Service Procedure

1. Disable the SIR system.
2. Remove the left side lower instrument panel insulator.
3. Remove the lower steering column filler panel.
4. Remove the aluminum knee bolster bracket.
5. Remove the tilt lever.
6. Remove the lower steering column cover.
7. Remove the upper steering column cover.
8. Remove the two nuts attaching the column to the column support and lower the column.

Important: The plastic tie bands removed in the next step have to be reinstalled or replaced when servicing the linear shift control cable assembly. Also, do not remove the plastic tie bands from the new assembly.

9. Remove (cut) any plastic tie bands that secure or route the cable assembly to the ignition switch.
10. Depress the black tab on the end of the cable and pull the cable out of the backside of the ignition switch/lock cylinder assembly.
11. Disconnect the transmission shift cable and the brake/transmission shift interlock rod from the linear shift control cable assembly.
12. Remove the shift lever retaining screw. Discard the screw and remove the lever.
13. Remove the three screws that attach the linear shift control cable assembly to the steering column and discard the three screws.
14. Remove the linear shift control cable assembly from the steering column and vehicle.
15. Install the new linear shift control cable assembly, P/N 26064241, on the steering column and secure with three new screws, P/N 26020231.
16. Install the shift lever and secure with new screw, P/N 26086318.
17. Connect the transmission shift cable and the brake/transmission shift interlock rod to the linear shift control cable assembly.
18. Insert the cable into the backside of the ignition switch/lock cylinder assembly and lock in place.
19. Raise the steering column to the column support and secure with two nuts.
20. Verify cable routing for clearance with brake switches.
21. Move the shift lever from PARK to reverse and back to the PARK position and turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
22. Verify that shift lever cannot be removed from PARK when the ignition key is in the OFF position.
23. Turn the ignition key to the ON position and verify that the shift lever can be removed from PARK.
24. Return the shift lever to the PARK position and verify that the ignition key can be turned to the OFF position and removed without difficulty. If key can be removed without difficulty, proceed to Step 28. If the key cannot be removed or requires high effort, proceed to Step 25.
25. Adjust the cable length by moving the white adjustment tab outwards from the adjuster body located in the middle of the cable.
26. Move the shift lever from PARK to reverse and back to the PARK position and turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
27. Press the white adjustment tab inwards until it locks in place. Verify proper operation by performing Steps 21-24.
28. Install the upper steering column cover.
29. Install the lower steering column cover and position the shift lever seal in place.
30. Install the tilt lever.
31. Install the aluminum knee bolster bracket.
32. Install the lower steering column filler panel.
33. Install the left side lower instrument panel filler.
34. Enable the SIR system.

1. Disable SIR system.
2. Remove left side lower instrument panel insulator.
3. Remove the driver's side knee bolster cover.
4. Remove the driver's side knee bolster.
5. Remove the ignition lock/switch bezel.
6. Remove the instrument cluster bezel.
7. Remove the tilt lever.
8. Remove the lower steering column cover.
9. Remove the upper steering column cover.
10. Remove two nuts and loosen two bolts to lower steering column for access to linear shift control cable assembly.

Important: The plastic tie bands removed in the next step have to be reinstalled or replaced when servicing the linear shift control cable assembly. Also, do not remove the plastic tie bands from the new assembly.

11. Remove (cut) any plastic tie bands that secure or route the cable assembly to the ignition switch.
12. Disconnect the transmission shift cable and the brake/transmission safety interlock rod from the linear shift control cable assembly.
13. Remove the shift lever retaining screw. Discard the screw and remove the shift lever.
14. Remove the three screws attaching the linear shift control cable assembly to the steering column and discard the screws.
15. Remove the radio assembly.
16. Remove the ignition lock/switch assembly from the instrument panel.
17. Depress the black tab on the end of the cable and pull the cable out of the backside of the ignition lock/switch assembly.
18. Remove the linear shift control cable assembly from the steering column and vehicle.
19. Install the new linear shift control cable assembly, P/N 26089928, on the steering column and secure with three new screws, P/N 26071469.
20. Install the shift lever and secure with new screw, P/N 26086318.
21. Connect the transmission shift cable and the brake/transmission shift interlock rod to the linear shift control cable assembly.
22. Insert the cable into the backside of the ignition lock/switch assembly and lock into place.
23. Install the ignition lock/switch assembly in the instrument panel.
24. Raise the steering column and install and the tighten nuts and bolts.
25. Verify cable routing for clearance with brake switches.
26. Move the shift lever from the PARK position to reverse and back to the PARK position and turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
27. Verify that the shift lever cannot be removed from PARK when the ignition key is in the OFF position.
28. Turn the ignition key to the ON position and verify that the shift lever can be removed from PARK.
29. Return the shift lever to the PARK position and verify that the ignition key can be turned to the OFF position and removed without difficulty. If the key can be removed without difficulty, proceed to Step 33. If the key cannot be removed or requires high effort, proceed to Step 30.
30. Adjust the cable length by pulling the white adjustment tab out from the adjuster body located in the middle of the cable.
31. Move the shift lever from the PARK position to reverse and back to the PARK position and turn the ignition key to the OFF position.
32. Press the white adjustment tab inwards until it locks in place. Verify proper operation by performing Steps 26-29.
33. Install the radio assembly.
34. Install the upper steering column cover.
35. Install the lower steering column cover and position the shift lever seal in place.
36. Install the tilt lever.
37. Install the instrument cluster bezel and ignition lock/switch bezel.
38. Install the driver's side knee bolster.
39. Install the driver's side knee bolster cover.
40. Install the left side lower instrument panel insulator.
41. Enable the SIR system.

IMPALA MODELS

BONNEVILLE MODELS

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