2003 Buick LeSabre

Having problems shifting the gears. It has P, R D, 3,2,1

The last couple times I've used it was hard shifting down into drive, can't seem to shift into 3,2,1 at, all not that I use it a lot.

My question is, is it more of an electronic thing, some sort of sensor or whatever, or is it mechanical some sort of linkage problem??

I know on most cars you have to have your foot on the brake before you can move the shifter? But other than that is there something besides the brake sensor that sends another signal somewhere else??

Any ideas what the problem might be ?

Thank you for your post, I haven't had this issue on any of my LeSabre'*, so I needed to look-up some how to information myself. I think this Reddit discussion and included links does a good job of covering all of the possibilities as well as a temporary work around. Link

How many miles on it?

Don't forget "N" !

P R N D 3 2 1

From this, I assume it doesn't resist any more from P to R than it does from R to N and then from N to D.

Sounds like the shifter cable is gummed up and/or damaged.

Could be the shift mechanism in the dash, but that just about never happens.

Could be in the valve body or the shift position switch in the transaxle, but that just about never happens.

The cables get gummed up much much much more often.

If it were the brake-pedal safety solenoid, you'd break stuff bypassing that with the lever, and likely not be able to choose any gear after that.

Probably the shift cable. I just found a few for less than $100.00 . They can be a pain to put in and get adjusted, but it'* not rocket surgery.

To test (if you are comfortable doing this and prepared for consequences if something gets broken while testing):
1. Adequately block the tires so the vehicle can't roll away.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Disconnect the shift cable from the shift lever on the transaxle.
4. Test shift lever motion. Is it still stiff? If "yes" then proceed to (5) and if "no" then proceed to (
5. Disconnect the shift lever in the cabin from the shift cable.
6. Test shift lever motion. Is it still stiff? If "yes" then proceed to (7) and if "no" then proceed to (9)
7. The issue is related to the shift lever in the cabin. Proceed to (10)
8. The issue is related to the shift lever on the transaxle. Proceed to (10)
9. The issue is related to the shift cable assembly. Proceed to (10)
10. End

Boilerplate: Void where prohibited, results may vary, use at your own risk, for entertainment purposes only, professional driver on a closed course, yada, yada, blah, blah, etc.

Maybe this will help you.
https://charm.li/Buick/2003/LeSabre%....8L%20VIN%20K/

Thanks for the info

Looking thru the options, some of them say proceed to 10, which says END, does that mean
can't fix ??

What option? Point to the page.

No, just the end on the procedure.