[drmeh]

I just bought a 1997 Cutlass. Has only 49,000 miles. It's gear shift is on the console. When I first crank it up and try to shift out of park, I cannot get it to move. I depress the brake as the book calls for and try to push in the button on the left of the gear knob, but it just sticks. I even try to move the steering wheel from side to side with the engine turned on, but to no avail. I try and wiggle the gear shift while trying to push in the button, and only after about 3-4 minutes, it finally engages. Can anyone give me any insight on what to do so I can get on with driving? Is there a way to get into the knob where the button is attached to see if something is wrong? Can you spray some WD-40 into the side of the button to loosen things up? Thanks!

[Lord_Darkclaw]

Worn gear selector perhaps, or you need a new clutch (or should I say clutch-plate?)
There's some stuff you can put in the gearbox called something like "slick50" that makes it smoother.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

Even though the link below pertains to Hondas, it should give you better insight into the problem with your Cutlass:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post258005

You likely need to focus on the automatic transmission gear position switch.