how do I check what part is broken with the gear shift?

Could be many things but the car wont start if you can't put it in PARK. There is an interlock switch that prevents this action for safety reasons.

I am having this same trouble with the transmission stuck on reverse and the shift lever does not change the setting and the van won't start now because the lever is not on park. I have to find the solution to this problem. Has anyone had this problem and knows what the fix was?

I'm having the same problem

just had the same issue, it was stuck in drive, yet, the shifter was in park. Dealership says it's a transmission valve, having it replaced for $250. This is after spending $7000 in the last few months on various things...

I'm having this same exact issue! I really wish someone would come up with a good answer! what am I suppose to do? I can't drive my suburban.

The transmission SHIFT CABLE BUSHING is bad. BUSHING FIX.COM has the best one for $20. You can get one from Napa, Oriellys or advance auto for $13. Don't give your money to anti freedom auto zone. Take the air filter box off and take the 2 13mm bolts holding the shift cable to the transmission off and you can pull the cable right out to you and it gives you all the room you need. I just fixed mine today.

You can start your vehicles in nutrual . Doesn't have to be in park.

It sounds like you accidentally set off your anti theft system. What you are describing is something that I went through with my Volkswagon. I messed with my fuses before this happened . My car turned over, but it wouldn't shift into gear. I shifted the gear manually, and it ran very sluggish. All this because I set off the anti theft feature. I took my car to a mechanic to have the alarm reset. Also, you may have low oil pressure, which in newer vehicles will cause the computer to slow or shut down the engine to reduce damage.

I know all these are old questions but I'm going to tell you it's got nothing to do with setting off your whatever they got the Volkswagens talking about anti-theft bullshit it's exactly what the other guy said is the transmission shifting cable bushing on top of the transmission it's a simple $2.50 part that you can buy at O'Reilly's and it's no big deal the dealership has their head up there ass they're just trying to rip you off telling you it's all kinds of other stuff the guy up above and that one without 5 years ago this is a simple part but this is whether it's 5 years ago or it's today the dealership or a mechanic's going to try to milk you for a bunch of bullshit it's a simple part we have the same problem today and it's fixed and it non-mechanic to fix it what's the world coming to everybody's out to screw everybody nowadays it's pathetic it doesn't even feel good anymore when they do that to you sucks what's the world coming to can't people be honest I'm talking about the businesses that burn you a brake job cost you $1,000 give me a break I'm a chiropractor not a mechanic I go down by ceramic brake pads do my brakes in an hour's time and it cost me less than $100 pathetic

Most problems with your average car these days can be fixed by a specialist a specialist in honesty you don't need a ripoff that calls himself a mechanic or worse the dealership that charges you 5 to 10 times what the actual cost would be to fix it and you don't even have to be an experienced mechanic all you have to be is experienced in being honest that's all it takes folks!!!!!! FACT!!