Shifter stuck in drive
 

Hi guys. Need help. Car is in storage and when the guy tried to move it he noticed that the shifter was really difficult to move. He started car and moved it but now the shifter is locked in drive, the engine will not start. He tried using screw driver to unlock shifter but no go.. I am going there tomorrow to try to figure out solution. Any ideas to help me out.
Oh and when he tried to move it he said it would hardly move like the breaks were locked on..
Suggestions encouraged.

Re: Shifter stuck in drive
 

I store my '97 in the winter and the shifter gets very stiff to move in as little as a month or so. I usually start the car and move it a little every few weeks.
The brakes are the same way. As for the shifter, the linkage will need to be lubed with something to free it up. You could probably spray it with WD40 to get it freed up and then lube it with something more permanent.
The brakes and stuff should loosen up after it rolls around a bit. Even in dry storage a bit of corrosion forms on things. If was stored a long time you would be smart to take the brakes apart and lube the caliper pins etc. At the same time you can inspect for seized calipers or other problems.
I discovered the hard way that the worst thing for any vehicle is to leave it sitting around, especially outside.

Re: Shifter stuck in drive
 

Thanks Black. You were right on the breaks. Went to garage to see if I could get it going. Used the shift unlock mechanism to get it out of drive. Worked the shifter until it loosened up and then went to drive it out of the garage. Back breaks totally seized. Front wheels dragged it out of the garage onto the grass and out of the way. Now a guy is going to come over and free up the breaks so I can get it home...

Re: Shifter stuck in drive
 

I assume it's your winter car, stored since last April?

Re: Shifter stuck in drive
 

It is but i don't drive it much in the winter. Drive my wife's outback most of the winter. I usually use it in the summer too but this year I chose to drive my 280 zx as my only car this summer and store the SVX. This winter I'm driving my daughters Legacy Gt while she is out of the country. So it will stay in storage.