I can’t figure out why the button pops out?? Used to be fine but now won’t stay put. It still works but the button itself is loose. I found this tiny piece of plastic as well I’m afraid I broke something

 

 

Plastic piece I found inside

 

Damn I thought I was the only one with this issue. Mines an 82 as well and it was that way when I purchased it. You have to keep hand over it when shifting gears or it will fly out and roll around on floor lol. I just cant tell how this is supposed to stay in. I cannot see any tabs missing in mine. I really hope there is someone who knows these early shifters and can help us out.

 

My 83 Trans Am had the same issue back in the late 80's, early 90's. I just decided to myself that it made a great anti theft device since I kept the T-tops off 90% of the time when driving it. Take the button with you, and there is no way to shift it out of park.

 

LOL

 

that’s actually hilarious dang,
but is there no way to fix it?

 

Except that '83s don't have that shifter ****. It's a one-year-only item...

 

ok whatever 😂 how do I fix it

 

Anybody?

 

Ive been asking people for years. I think its one of lifes great mysteries lol.

 

Hmm. Well, the button comes off on my 82 since it's held to the plastic stem with a small metal clip, but the plastic stem is secured down in the shifter and does not pull up and out on my 82. I suppose I could take it apart and figure out how it's secured down in there, but it's a lot of work and I'd probably break it since the rest of them in the world are broke apparently. So mystery remains!

 

yeah the stem part secured inside the bottom of the shift **** is where mine comes out. The stem is supposed to be attached down there somehow

 

@John in RI
saw a thread of yours earlier maybe you can help?

 

So the long plastic stem with all the bead bumps is supposed to hold it down? So is there a clip missing or broken inside the shifter mechanism? If someone has a picture that would be great. It would also need to keep it from rotating somehow because it shouldn't be able to spin around I wouldn't think.

 

I wish I could,...... but I'm just not sure about that rod and don't have an 82 shifter to be able to inspect for solid answers.

Sorry I can't help !