1998 Chevy Astro stuck in drive... need help!

[Gordon]

Van is a 1998 Chevy Astro, has the 4l60e obviosly but it only has forward.

I have not driven it but the owner says no matter where the shifter is (except park of course) the van goes forward. He has not said if it shifts though but from what i gather it only has 1st gear.

Is the trans cooked or is it those stupid solenoids in the trans?

Need any help you can provide.

Thanks, Gordon

[SoCalli V8]

If you get underneath the van and disconnect the shifter cable, can you move the selector arm with channel locks into PRND123 ?

[Gordon]

No idea, the van is 2.5hrs away from me. I'm trying to decide if it's worth the drive before I fire up my flat deck and go get it.

I wish it was closer so I could actually see it in person.

[HPbyStan]

No idea, the van is 2.5hrs away from me. I'm trying to decide if it's worth the drive before I fire up my flat deck and go get it.

I wish it was closer so I could actually see it in person.

LOL, 2.5 hours is right next door. I just bought a Corvair 2dr coupe in Soap Lake, Washington, on eBay which is about 1850 miles from me here in Wisconsin. At least it and here are both within 25 miles of I-90 so I shouldn't get lost on the trip. The REAL stupid news is it's going to cost me around $1260 USD just in fuel to go get it. I gotta quit bidding on stuff @ 2 am when I'm not thinking too clearly.

[Gordon]

lol

[zook94]

Maybe you could talk the current owner into sitting in the drivers seat with the van off, and listen for the sounds of shift linkage and detent clunks? If the van is cable shifted (mine are older, mechanical linkage) and there are no shifting clicks up and down the shift column, it could be a broken shift cable, or possibly one of the retaining clips let go, freeing the cable from its duties. Wouldn't that be something to take 5 seconds to fix it, drive it on the trailer, and fly outta dodge with a steal?

Its also nearly impossible for it to be shift solenoid related, its definitely something mechanical.