One step forward, two steps back and no parking

So I have quite the dilemma,

In my haste to change out my trans fluid and filter, I messed with the linkage. To my surprise, after removing the sand bag from behind the wheel, the car rolled away real fast and almost jumped the curb had I not ran to slam on the brakes. Anyhow, I now only have Reverse through 1st and my 1st is blank or park (I think). My park is reverse, my reverse goes from neutral to drive, etc. How do I fix this? Do I just push the linkage up or is there a trick to doing it right?

 

"I messed with the linkage."

what did you mess with?

 

There's a threaded stud the extends from the transmission near the fluid pan that the shifting linkage bolts to. There are 2 bolts that the attach the shifting linkage the the side of the trans. I pulled down on the extending piece of the linkage mount and watched a lever click down a couple times. I tried to push it back up but now it's all messed up.

 

how many miles on the trans?

 

Sounds like the nut/bushing that sits in/along the slotted end of your linkage rod has loosened and/or slipped when you pulled down on the selector lever. Check to make sure the bottom end of the slotted linkage isn't cracked or the slot hasn't spread. I had to use a pair of vice-grips to squeeze the slot tight against the bushing, in order to turn the nut. With your shifter in "P", get under the car, and loosen the nut that holds the bushing/lever in the slot. lightly pull down on the slotted rod, and push "UP" on the lever with the nut. Tighten the bolt. If you let go of the lever before the nut is tightened, the lever will spring back down into "R".

 

Not too sure on mileage, around 120k

 

Fixed it, I assumed that the nut rested on the bottom of the slotted linkage. After comparing it to my original picture above, I made the correct adjustment. Thanks guy

 

I ran into another problem. Whenever I come to a stop or go around a turn, my tranny slips into neutral and I have to rev the engine to get it to shift (kinda like running manual with no clutch needed). I previously messed with the shift linkage (see previous pic) and I don't know where to go from here.

 

sounds like your fluid level is to low.

 

And so it was, thank god I caught it before i burnt up my clutches

 

I fondly remember that slippage from years back when I had automatic transmissions - drove manual vehicles for the last 25 years or so