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[Z06] Short Shift Problem.

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Old Jul 8, 2009 | 11:42 PM
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Default Short Shift Problem.

I recently installed a Kirban shifter, and I love it except for one thing. When I am driving like a normal person, it is hard to get into 5th, 6th, or reverse gear. I have no problems getting into the other gears or getting into 5th or 6th when I am driving it like it is stolen. I have to pull it out into neutral and usually it goes in the second time. Now I have read about the antivenom mod and have purchased the copper washers, but before I actually do it I am wondering if it will even fix my problem. It seems like the mod just addresses the "notchiness" of the shifter, but not the side to side action.
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Old Jul 9, 2009 | 07:17 AM
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From your description, you need to re-center the shifter cradle.

Your issue derives from the shifter cradle being too far right, thereby constricting movement for the gears on the right side of the pattern.

Common problem when shifters are removed, then reinstalled. RPM Transmissions, a forum sponsor, has a how-to correctly center the cradle.

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Old Jul 9, 2009 | 08:16 AM
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So essentially I am loosening the bolts and moving it slightly to the left, then re-tightening?
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Old Jul 9, 2009 | 08:22 AM
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Shifter cradle should be centered in the opening.

If instead it's too far right, 5, 6, R are impinged. It the cradle is too far forward, then 1, 3, 5 are impinged. And so forth.

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Old Jul 9, 2009 | 08:28 AM
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I've got the same problem with a Hurst that was installed in my car. The 1-4 shifts are fine, reverse 5 and 6 are a little bit difficult. When I drive on the highway I have been going from 4th to 6th and skipping 5th for fear of hitting reverse by accident.

Thanks for posting the question and thank you Ranger for the good info. I will give this a try
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Old Jul 9, 2009 | 07:14 PM
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Originally Posted by blazer427X3
I've got the same problem with a Hurst that was installed in my car. The 1-4 shifts are fine, reverse 5 and 6 are a little bit difficult. When I drive on the highway I have been going from 4th to 6th and skipping 5th for fear of hitting reverse by accident.

Thanks for posting the question and thank you Ranger for the good info. I will give this a try
If you are hitting reverse there is something wrong with your reverse lockout solenoid. When working properly these trannies have this as a safety feature that prevents you from hitting R when shifting to 5th
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Old Jul 9, 2009 | 07:26 PM
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Exactly like ctusser said, you should not have to worry about hitting reverse. It takes an extreme amount of pressure to force it in reverse if your reverse lockout solenoid is working correctly.
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Old Jul 9, 2009 | 07:53 PM
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Appreciate the info, I absolutely can get a grind if I go over too far looking for 5th, thats why I've been skipping it and going to 6th when I get on the highway. I will look into the solenoid issue as soon as I figure out exactly where it is and how to test/replace it. I still think that my shifter needs to be centered too.

All I have to do now is convince my girlfriend that fixing this is more important than painting her kitchen this weekend ...
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Old Jul 9, 2009 | 09:09 PM
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Just wondering, if I have a RL solenoid problem wouldn't the car be throwing a P0801 code ? I just checked and I have no codes in the DIC.
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Old Jul 10, 2009 | 12:13 AM
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Hmm I will have to look into it, I never removed the shifter cradle to install the Kirban shifter. The cradle should be centered within the opening in the transmission tunnel correct?
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