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I have a 69 with a 400 automatic transmission. While changing the trans fluid, we disconnected the interlock cable at the transmission for more room. Upon reconnecting, we noticed that the cable was never connected up top, which explains why we were able to remove the key at all times, because the lever was never actually moving. After reconnecting the interlock cable at both ends, the car is unable to shift into all of its gears, which is unlike before. I tried shifting the car manually from underneath, as it was able to be shifted like that beforehand, but now it can only shift once. In the console, the shifter is able to shift from park to reverse and neutral. However, while the shifter in the console shows the car should be in park, the car is not actually in park, and I am unable to manually shift the car into park from underneath. I figure that it might have something to do with the key or pressing the brake. Before moving that lever, we were able to shift the car without the key in. We also were able to shift the car without using the brake.
This is a 1969 car there is no step on the brake before shifting function.
The interlock cable appears to have been disconnected for a reason.
You may have kinked the shift cable by reconnecting the interlock.
If you disconnect the interlock will the shifter move correctly?
Did you check if the shift cable has been kinked?
After disconnecting the interlock cable, the shifter still does not move correctly. From underneath the car, there doesn't appear to be any kinks in the shift cable. Going to remove the shifter from the console to see if we can find a kink there.
After disconnecting the interlock cable, the shifter still does not move correctly. From underneath the car, there doesn't appear to be any kinks in the shift cable. Going to remove the shifter from the console to see if we can find a kink there.
If you disconnect all cables at the trans, can you manually shift the trans lever? If not, then the trouble is in the trans; If so, then the cable(s). With the shift cable disconnected at the trans, can you move the console shift lever through its full range? Just trying to help target where the trouble lies...
If you disconnect all cables at the trans, can you manually shift the trans lever? If not, then the trouble is in the trans; If so, then the cable(s). With the shift cable disconnected at the trans, can you move the console shift lever through its full range? Just trying to help target where the trouble lies...
I agree and since you serviced the transmission I would retrace your steps! Leave interlock cable hooked to the tranny and unhooked on the other end like before the service. Then go over shifter cable bracket and connections since you removed this to take the pan off. Somehow this had to come out of adjustment. So like the post I quoted, if you unhook the shifter cable from the tranny, can you shift it the whole range by hand? Also with the shifter cable unhooked from the transmission how does the shifter work inside the car? I would make darn sure that all checks out before I tore the center console apart....you never disturbed that area....but anything is possible! If you do take it apart, be careful you don't break your gear indicator needle! Classic line, "ask me how I know"! Good luck 👍
One last possibility, as I'm not sure on the TH400, is possible to have the shifter cable bracket mounted forward or back 1 or 2 bolt holes off? Effectively shortening or lengthening the cable and causing your problem! Just a thought, again, good luck 👍
After disconnecting the interlock cable, the shifter still does not move correctly. From underneath the car, there doesn't appear to be any kinks in the shift cable. Going to remove the shifter from the console to see if we can find a kink there.
If your cable still has the rubber boot on the transmission end, check under the boot for a bent outer tube which is easy to damage.
Update! Figured out the problem, which was up top in the shifter console. The shifter cable was not secured and managed to fell through the opening, which made it unable to correctly shift. If I’m not mistaken, I’m missing an “E” clip as shown in the picture? The purpose of the clip would be to prevent the shifter cable from falling back through that opening again.
Update! Figured out the problem, which was up top in the shifter console. The shifter cable was not secured and managed to fell through the opening, which made it unable to correctly shift. If I’m not mistaken, I’m missing an “E” clip as shown in the picture? The purpose of the clip would be to prevent the shifter cable from falling back through that opening again.
Good catch. The e-clip doesn't go where you circled in red. It goes in the next groove just to the right of your circle. Pull the cable housing until the e-clip groove is on the same side of the bracket as your red circle. Measure the groove for the right e-clip. The shift cable I just removed from my '73 required a 3/8" e-clip but the new cable requires a 1/2" clip.
Unable to Shift
