Question about fixing the A4 gearshift indicator
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 408
Likes: 6
From: Santa Clarita CA
Question about fixing the A4 gearshift indicator
A couple weeks ago my gearshift indicator stuck in the 1st gear position on my 2000 A4 after downshifting into first and back up. The red indicator is just sitting there pointing to first gear regardless of what gear I'm in. I suspect this is a pain in the a$$ and expensive to fix for something so trivial, but I've kept my C5 in near perfect condition and I don't like to have something like this broken. Can someone please tell me what's involved with repairing it? Also, a pin sized hole has formed in the leather gear-shift boot from one of the creases (it's almost 10 years old, it was inevitable), anybody know what's involved with fixing that, and would it be substantially advantageous to do them both at the same time? I'll be having someone else do the work, so a description of the job and a labor estimate on these projects would be helpful as well as a list of parts.
TIA!
TIA!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 408
Likes: 6
From: Santa Clarita CA
Bump. Anyone, anyone, Bueller?
I'm not looking for a detailed description of the work involved, just an overview in terms of what parts have to be removed and/or replaced to complete the job, and what that might expect to cost or a labor estimate. Looks to me like the gearshift indicator has to be removed from underneath the gearshift boot, so I presume it means removing the center console, removing the boot, and who knows what else, plus whatever part needs to be repaired/replaced to fix it.
TIA
I'm not looking for a detailed description of the work involved, just an overview in terms of what parts have to be removed and/or replaced to complete the job, and what that might expect to cost or a labor estimate. Looks to me like the gearshift indicator has to be removed from underneath the gearshift boot, so I presume it means removing the center console, removing the boot, and who knows what else, plus whatever part needs to be repaired/replaced to fix it.
TIA
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 408
Likes: 6
From: Santa Clarita CA
Anyone? No Corvette mechanics out there familiar with the job?
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Basically you're screwed and need a a complete new gear indicator piece as you probably snaped it off.
The auto floor shifter was not made for constant shifting.
The auto floor shifter was not made for constant shifting.
Ugh, that sucks. I use my gears quite liberally, so for me it's a little more of an issue than for someone that always just puts their car in drive (not to say you do). I know my car well enough to pretty much know which gear I'm in all the time just based on RPMs, torque, and sound, but I still want to be able to look down and see which gear I'm in for obvious reasons.
Anyone? No Corvette mechanics out there familiar with the job?
Anyone? No Corvette mechanics out there familiar with the job?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 408
Likes: 6
From: Santa Clarita CA
Well after being critically injured in a skydiving accident, breaking and shattering almost everything from and including the waist down, leaving me with a fused ankle that doesn't bend and rods and screws in almost every part of my lower body, I really don't have much choice but to use the shifter since it's extremely difficult to use the gas pedal. Unlike the rest of the world, I can't simply tilt my foot forward to give it gas. Much easier when you're in an appropriate gear that only requires a minimum amount of pressure on the gas pedal.
Last edited by EDenney; Sep 10, 2009 at 02:45 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
I have a spare boot assembly with the PRNDL unit. but I don't shift much. $60 shipped if you want it...stock boot included.
Jerry
Jerry
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 764
Likes: 0
From: felton de
Indicator
The indicator is a little " L " shaped piece of flourescent plastic that breaks very easily. I removed mine gorilla glued it and but it back in place 2 years ago. You must remove it from the shifter very carefully or it breaks everytime. Removed the center console then when you get to the shifter remove the plastic piece that has the P R D 3 2 1 numbers on it. It will pop out of place with a little pressure. Then lift the boot up from the outside edges of the circular plastic ring. You will then be able to see the set up
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Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Sorry to here about your accident. Can't they make some kind of steering wheel control for you.
I would seriously look into a C6 that has the paddle shifter option as you can use your finger to shift gears.
I would seriously look into a C6 that has the paddle shifter option as you can use your finger to shift gears.
Well after being critically injured in a skydiving accident, breaking and shattering almost everything from and including the waist down, leaving me with a fused ankle that doesn't bend and rods and screws in almost every part of my lower body, I really don't have much choice but to use the shifter since it's extremely difficult to use the gas pedal. Unlike the rest of the world, I can't simply tilt my foot forward to give it gas. Much easier when you're in an appropriate gear that only requires a minimum amount of pressure on the gas pedal.