car in park but noticed that it still moved forward a little

2003 TOYOTA COROLLA
306,000 MILES
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VLMUHAMMAD
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  • 2 POSTS
At a drive thru yesterday, I placed the car in park but noticed that it still moved forward a little. I put the emergency brakes on until I was ready to leave. The gear levers just freely moved back and forth. They wouldn't pop into place like before. Then I realized the car would only move forward regardless to if the lever was in drive, park, neutral, or any of the others. I made it home but when I turned the car off, it won't start again.
Jul 15, 2013 at 7:05 AM
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CARADIODOC
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The gear shift cable is broken or disconnected. Watch under the hood to see if the cable and lever on the transmission moves when a helper moves the shifter. The outer casing could also be loose allowing it to slide back and forth in its mount instead of pushing and pulling on the lever on the transmission.

The no-start is due to the transmission being stuck in "drive". It will only start in "park" or "neutral" and you can't get it there with a broken or loose shifter cable.
May 26, 2021 at 6:39 PM
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VLMUHAMMAD
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Thank you so much for your timely response. Just knowing the terminology helps so much.
May 26, 2021 at 6:39 PM
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