shift cable
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shift cable
After changing my exhaust from the cat back, my shifter will not properly function. It's an auto. I thought the o2 sensor could be in the way. but its fine. It seems like a saw the shift cable near where the large center cat is located. I'm too tired to look now, but what are the chances that I pinched the shift cable, and that's the problem. The shifter moves about an inch back, but will not engage the gears. thanks - kip
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Anaheim CA
If the shifter just flops around and nothing happens then it's possible that the C clip that holds the cable to the shifter has come off. You have to take the console apart to see this. Here's a (somewhat poor) picture of the C clip (I'm away from home so I don't have access to my index of pictures):
It's also possible that something has happened at the transmission end of the cable (all the adjustment is at that end). There is a pin on the shift lever on the trans that is adjustable (15mm nut). Here's a picture showing the shift lever on the transmission. You can see the 15mm nut and the slot that the pin moves in to adjust the cable:
You adjust the cable by putting the shifter in Park. Then remove the cable from the shift lever and move the pin until the eye on the end of the cable goes on the pin. DO NOT TIGHTEN THE 15mm NUT WHILE THE TRANS IS IN PARK! If you pull on the wrench and the trans slips into another gear you WILL break the cable (you don't need to ask how I know this). Snug up the nut and then shift the trans into 1st gear. THEN you can tighten the nut without hurting anything.
It's also possible that something has happened at the transmission end of the cable (all the adjustment is at that end). There is a pin on the shift lever on the trans that is adjustable (15mm nut). Here's a picture showing the shift lever on the transmission. You can see the 15mm nut and the slot that the pin moves in to adjust the cable:
You adjust the cable by putting the shifter in Park. Then remove the cable from the shift lever and move the pin until the eye on the end of the cable goes on the pin. DO NOT TIGHTEN THE 15mm NUT WHILE THE TRANS IS IN PARK! If you pull on the wrench and the trans slips into another gear you WILL break the cable (you don't need to ask how I know this). Snug up the nut and then shift the trans into 1st gear. THEN you can tighten the nut without hurting anything.
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The shifter doesn't flop around, it's tight and firm. It moves back as far as the reverse "R" but does not move the shift lever on the tranny.
In checking the above part from Autozone, they indicated it would not fit my car... any thoughts? thanks much for the help - kip
In checking the above part from Autozone, they indicated it would not fit my car... any thoughts? thanks much for the help - kip
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OK, the shifter cable is perfect. There are no obstructions inside the car or under that would impede the gear lever from moving. But it still does not want to go into gear.
I rechecked the service light - it is on steady (not flashing) owner's manual says that indicates an emission issue... so I assume that the new 02 sensor and new exhaust is causing that light to be on and it has nothing to do with the asr.
So, what is keeping the tranny from going into gear?
I rechecked the service light - it is on steady (not flashing) owner's manual says that indicates an emission issue... so I assume that the new 02 sensor and new exhaust is causing that light to be on and it has nothing to do with the asr.
So, what is keeping the tranny from going into gear?
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Removed the fascia over the shifter to look inside. Nothing there obstructing the shifter from moving. Checked the brake release switch and it works - able to move shifter with brake depressed, not when brake not depressed.
It almost seems like the tranny itself is locked... is there anything electrical that would do this? anything mechanical except a messed up shifter, that would do this...? Will disconnect shift linkage, and see if I can shift it by hand.
It almost seems like the tranny itself is locked... is there anything electrical that would do this? anything mechanical except a messed up shifter, that would do this...? Will disconnect shift linkage, and see if I can shift it by hand.
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Took the cable off the tranny, and it shifts fine by hand. Back inside the shifter compartment, I noticed two cable coming off the shifter: one for the tranny... where does the second go? This is the one that is binding up - you can see it clearly doing so. where does this second cable go???????
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OK, first I had the shift cable to the tranny and the park block cables confused. What I thought was one, was really the other.
It is the shifter cable that is not moving unless very forcibly pulled on. So I'll get a new shift cable. However, there was never a problem until I jacked up the car, and did the exhaust. This just doesn't make sense. Thanks - kip
It is the shifter cable that is not moving unless very forcibly pulled on. So I'll get a new shift cable. However, there was never a problem until I jacked up the car, and did the exhaust. This just doesn't make sense. Thanks - kip
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Anaheim CA
Make sure you get a Pioneer CA-1162. That's the one that AutoZone sells.
The ATP 16674 and Dorman 16674 shifter cables DO NOT FIT (unless they redesigned it since I bought one several years ago).
The ATP 16674 and Dorman 16674 shifter cables DO NOT FIT (unless they redesigned it since I bought one several years ago).
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OK, here's the deal. Apparently while I was wrestling off the old pipes, the one near the shift linkage on the tranny, must have struck the linkage, and of course it bent it. Thus the reason why the cable could not shift the tranny. Spent hours straightening the cable end so it would slide into the outer casing. Put everything back together and all is well. Almost.
The original pipe near the tranny linkage had a heat reflector on it. The new ones don't. The cable is about half an inch from the pipe. Is this going to be too hot for the cable? I cut a piece of the old heat reflector off, and clamped it to the new pipe, and the cable does touch it. After a test drive I could smell what seemed like burnt plastic/rubber... I'm checking later today to see what may have happened. Thanks - kip
The original pipe near the tranny linkage had a heat reflector on it. The new ones don't. The cable is about half an inch from the pipe. Is this going to be too hot for the cable? I cut a piece of the old heat reflector off, and clamped it to the new pipe, and the cable does touch it. After a test drive I could smell what seemed like burnt plastic/rubber... I'm checking later today to see what may have happened. Thanks - kip
Team Owner
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OK, here's the deal. Apparently while I was wrestling off the old pipes, the one near the shift linkage on the tranny, must have struck the linkage, and of course it bent it. Thus the reason why the cable could not shift the tranny. Spent hours straightening the cable end so it would slide into the outer casing. Put everything back together and all is well. Almost.
It should be an easy find BUT NOT new!