Can't Move Shifter Into 1st Gear
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Can't Move Shifter Into 1st Gear
A buddy of mine has an 85 and he isn't able to move his shifter, manually, into 1st gear.
The shifter stops at 2nd. In all other respects the trans works fine.
He said he disconnect the shifter cable at the trans and is able to move the shifter mechanism on the trans into 1st gear with his hand, but still can't with the shifter.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Jake
The shifter stops at 2nd. In all other respects the trans works fine.
He said he disconnect the shifter cable at the trans and is able to move the shifter mechanism on the trans into 1st gear with his hand, but still can't with the shifter.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Jake
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 26,679
Likes: 17
From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
Re: Can't Move Shifter Into 1st Gear (JAKE)
My 88 wouldn't either. I tried adjusting it but it didn't have enough adjustment. What I ended up doing was getting a small file and enlarging the rectangular slot on the gearhift on the trans itself. Make sure the car still goes back in Park afterwards or bad things happen.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Re: Can't Move Shifter Into 1st Gear (JAKE)
I recall, awhile back, reading a post where a similar problem was cleared up just by repositioning the shift lever boot. It had a fold in it that prevented sufficient rearward travel of the lever. It turned out to be a no cost, no brainer, repair. May be??? Good luck, and...
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis IN
Re: Can't Move Shifter Into 1st Gear (CFI-EFI)
Cool, Every since I bought my 88 5mo ago, I've not been able to get it in 1st gear. I assumed it had to do with the Tranny linkage. Hopefully one of these easier fixes will work.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Can't Move Shifter Into 1st Gear (HC4-Vette)
Same problem with my 86,could never manually hold it down to first gear.It got a bit worse when I installed a new shifter boot to replace the old one.Felt tighter and almost hard to get it down to 2nd.
I never thought about it anymore until now.
:crazy:
I never thought about it anymore until now.
:crazy:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,178
Likes: 1,740
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Can't Move Shifter Into 1st Gear (Bill's86Coupe)
I think my boot is what prevents me from getting it to lock into 1st.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: Can't Move Shifter Into 1st Gear (vader86)
I'm beginning to think that GM designed some shifters NOT to be able to be shifted into low gear.
Is there ANYONE that can manually shift into low? If so, what year car?
Thanks,
Jake
Is there ANYONE that can manually shift into low? If so, what year car?
Thanks,
Jake
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 0
From: High Plains Drifter Fayetteville, AR
Re: Can't Move Shifter Into 1st Gear (JAKE)
Is there ANYONE that can manually shift into low? If so, what year car?
Thanks,
Jake
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 868
Likes: 5
Re: Can't Move Shifter Into 1st Gear (JCAIRE2)
take the console off and look at the shifter cable and its assembly ...my 86 was the same way couldn't go into first manually...I found that there i a guide in there that has slack in it enough to make the shifter cable "bind" ...I added a piece of something in there(God knows what,it was years ago) but I made it flat and also added a small amount of grease....smooth as silk ..fixed my problem..Also I've seen another Vette that had a bunch of change that was stuck in there...don't ask me how it got there but it was ...this car wouldn't even go into 2nd manually.You might be surprised at what all you find in that area.
Jason
[Modified by JOliver, 8:55 AM 11/7/2003]
Jason
[Modified by JOliver, 8:55 AM 11/7/2003]
