Automatic Shifter Failure
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 280
Likes: 1
From: Sounds like a T Rex lives under my hood. Gibsonton, Fl
left me stranded
Had same problem came off at shifter end "excellent engineering" removed shifter drilled an tapped nobby end of shifter 10/32 nd used 3/4" long hex aircraft bolt w/blue locktite thru hole in cable end.reistalled console. so far so good. Was also able to repair red indicator and bulb while shifter was apart DIY 
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 174
Likes: 4
From: West Palm Beach Fl
I'm thinking this is what happened to my car. One day I put it in park and turned the engine off. Cameback fifteen minutes later and the shifter would basically slide back and forth at will like a manual with your foot on the clutch.
Finally, it seemed like it went back "on track" and went back into park and allowed me to shift into R - N - D and I drove home. I am still driving this way till this day and am very cautious in between shifting gears. You can go from P to R and then I usually push the button on the shifter and slide it back into N but it seems like it slides up about an 1/8" and clicks into N. Same from N to D. Just imagine going through every single gear.
From D for example, I go into N by first pushing the button to get it out of D, move the shifter forward and let go until I here the click into N. Then repeat the process until I get to P. Only P and R feel nice and stiff.
Finally, it seemed like it went back "on track" and went back into park and allowed me to shift into R - N - D and I drove home. I am still driving this way till this day and am very cautious in between shifting gears. You can go from P to R and then I usually push the button on the shifter and slide it back into N but it seems like it slides up about an 1/8" and clicks into N. Same from N to D. Just imagine going through every single gear.
From D for example, I go into N by first pushing the button to get it out of D, move the shifter forward and let go until I here the click into N. Then repeat the process until I get to P. Only P and R feel nice and stiff.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Panama City FL
I ended up tearing apart my console and removed the shifter to find the cable had broken up close to the shifter. You may be able to take it apart and see where yours may have just came off the mounting bracket. Just an idea.
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
Solution for Similar Problem
I had a similar experience this week. No indication of a problem when I parked it, but when I started it the next morning the shifter moved with very little resistance and no gear change. My shift cable was broken at the tranny linkage, rather than at the shifter. The cable was fine, but the plastic bushing that interfaces between the linkage and cable end had disintegrated. It took a few hours of searching the net, but I found one that fits. It's the only hard plastic bushing in the Dorman p/n 14041 package. I purchased mine for $6 at Advance Auto Parts, but I'm sure they're readily available. Access to this end of the cable is somewhat limited by the exhaust, and in order to get the bushing pressed into the cable end, I shaved the OD on the conical portion down a few mils with a Dremel and it snapped right in. I did the same with the ID which fits over the linkage. Provides a nice tight fit and shows no tendency to pop off. If I had to do it again, I could replace it in 3 minutes (once it's up on ramps). Hope this helps in the event that someone has the same problem.
Last edited by csikes; Jun 20, 2009 at 12:49 PM.
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Hey guys - it just happened to me this weekend! Pulled into my driveway and went into the house for less than 10 min. Got back in the car, turned the ignition and tried to shift out of Park and the shift lever had no tension at all. I removed the console and lifted the shifter just enough to see if the cable was still attached to the shift lever... and it was. That tells me that the cable has come off at the transmission or it's broken. The problem I have is that the transmission is now stuck in Park and I can't move it!!!! The local dealer said that there is a national backorder for this particular part (shift cable) and will try to locate one. Does anyone know if there is way I can get the tranny in Neutral or at least get it to roll so that I won't have to drag it onto a flatbed? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks guys!!
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville Florida
Hey Corvette family I need some advice!! I posted back on 9/09 about my Shifter cable problem. Since then I've been in the hunt for the illusive replacement GM part #12561688 and I finally got one. The dealer here in Jacksonville, FL wants $350 labor to install it. When the cable broke it was in park and It's been stuck in my driveway ever since because I can't move it to the garage. I'm planning on doing the replacement myself but I'd like to know is there any way to release the transmission out of park so that I can move it? Any advice or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks for looking :-)!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 405
Hey Corvette family I need some advice!! I posted back on 9/09 about my Shifter cable problem. Since then I've been in the hunt for the illusive replacement GM part #12561688 and I finally got one. The dealer here in Jacksonville, FL wants $350 labor to install it. When the cable broke it was in park and It's been stuck in my driveway ever since because I can't move it to the garage. I'm planning on doing the replacement myself but I'd like to know is there any way to release the transmission out of park so that I can move it? Any advice or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!! Thanks for looking :-)!
Have you already replaced the cable? If not, when are you thinking about it? I live in Neptune Beach and have the shop manuals for it with pictures and the detailed procedure (posted earlier) if you need some help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 405
I had a similar experience this week. No indication of a problem when I parked it, but when I started it the next morning the shifter moved with very little resistance and no gear change. My shift cable was broken at the tranny linkage, rather than at the shifter. The cable was fine, but the plastic bushing that interfaces between the linkage and cable end had disintegrated. It took a few hours of searching the net, but I found one that fits. It's the only hard plastic bushing in the Dorman p/n 14041 package. I purchased mine for $6 at Advance Auto Parts, but I'm sure they're readily available. Access to this end of the cable is somewhat limited by the exhaust, and in order to get the bushing pressed into the cable end, I shaved the OD on the conical portion down a few mils with a Dremel and it snapped right in. I did the same with the ID which fits over the linkage. Provides a nice tight fit and shows no tendency to pop off. If I had to do it again, I could replace it in 3 minutes (once it's up on ramps). Hope this helps in the event that someone has the same problem.
I bought the bushing set you recommended and was able to find one in the set of five that was a perfect fit in the cable end. It "snapped" in place on the ball stud of the linkage with a little grease and some judicious application of leverage, no shaving required in my case. Like you, I could do it again in 3 minutes once on a jack stand...too easy! For anybody considering a similar repair, it's a helluva lot easier than replacing the whole cable. Wish I had taken pictures...
Thanks again csikes, this forum is the greatest!
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
My 2010 coupe with the A6 transmission just had the same failure (with only 900 miles on the odometer). I tried to put the transmission into park and it wouldn't engage, I could only select drive / neutral / or Reverse. Took it to the dealer and they told me the cable snapped. I won't have the Vette back until Monday 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 405
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,360
Likes: 1,128
From: Dyer, IN
FANG here...
Came outta the auto parts store last Friday evening. Started the car
and the shift to reverse was a bit stiff but it shifted and dropped into drive for the trip home. When I got home I couldn't shift to Park!
Did a quickie console removal and all looked 'normal'. Drove it to the dealer and their finding is the shifter assembly had broken. Said the cable to the trans was fine.
Anyone had a auto transmission shifter assembly "break"?
Itsa Machine Silver 2005 Coupe
Came outta the auto parts store last Friday evening. Started the car
and the shift to reverse was a bit stiff but it shifted and dropped into drive for the trip home. When I got home I couldn't shift to Park!
Did a quickie console removal and all looked 'normal'. Drove it to the dealer and their finding is the shifter assembly had broken. Said the cable to the trans was fine.
Anyone had a auto transmission shifter assembly "break"?
Itsa Machine Silver 2005 Coupe
