HELP! Can't select gear - shifter vague / lost!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 137
From: Nashville TN area
HELP! Can't select gear - shifter vague / lost!
Hey guys,
2001 Z06, mild mods..
Saturday was having trouble getting the gear shift selector over into first gear.. sometimes thought it was in but was really in 3rd.. a more forceful left pull and up would get it into first.. seemed more of a problem of finding the right gate than a transmission gear issue itself..
this morning after getting gas, the whole shifter just started being really vague / rubbery feel.. can't get it far enough over to find first or second anymore (hits the limits of the opening).. goes into 3rd and 4th, but can't find the gates to much else because there is so much vague movement of the shifter.. no tranny noises and drives fine in the gears i can select..
has a short shifter in it, courtesy of the previous owner.. i've had the car about 5 months with no other issues..
did a bolt come loose or what? any ideas??
2001 Z06, mild mods..
Saturday was having trouble getting the gear shift selector over into first gear.. sometimes thought it was in but was really in 3rd.. a more forceful left pull and up would get it into first.. seemed more of a problem of finding the right gate than a transmission gear issue itself..
this morning after getting gas, the whole shifter just started being really vague / rubbery feel.. can't get it far enough over to find first or second anymore (hits the limits of the opening).. goes into 3rd and 4th, but can't find the gates to much else because there is so much vague movement of the shifter.. no tranny noises and drives fine in the gears i can select..
has a short shifter in it, courtesy of the previous owner.. i've had the car about 5 months with no other issues..
did a bolt come loose or what? any ideas??
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
Shifter
Shifter problems are pobably one of the least hardest and less expensive repairs you can do. Are you aware of how to take out and put back in a shifter in a C/5? I wasn't untill I bought a Hurst Shifter & looked up different threads in this forum , that gave each step in regards to do the job correctly. You didn't mention which shifter you have. Thats an important thing to know. Some after markets have bolts attached to the sides of the shifter to get different angles, height, etc. It could be something as simple as a loose side bolt or broken stick. The console needs to be pulled, so the shifter can have a good looking over.Good Luck.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 137
From: Nashville TN area
The short shifter is a Hurst unit. I do know how to pull the console as I did the HUD upgrade not too long ago, just didn't have time this morning between discovering the problem and trying to get to work..
Plan to pull it this evening, but if anyone has been through these symptoms before, the insight is appreciated..
Plan to pull it this evening, but if anyone has been through these symptoms before, the insight is appreciated..
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
shifter
Well, that eliminates alot of could be problems, stating that it is a Hurst shifter. The mounting base consist of 6061 T-6 Billet aluminum. The stick is made of 1 piece billet steel. No probllem w/ any thing braking there. Hurst tech department (216)688 8300 Ext.500 Hrs. of opperation-Mon-Fri 8:30 to 5:00 p.m. EST. They will be able to walk you through every aspect, in regards to tour problem. Hope this helps. Good Luck.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 137
From: Nashville TN area
Thanks WKMCD. Tech support just indicated the same response. I'll get to it as soon as I get home this evening.
FYI, for anybody who needs it, the support number has changed.. Hurst tech support is now in southern CA and apparently combined with B&M.. 818-483-1366.
thanks again, I'll post confirmation of the fix tonight.
FYI, for anybody who needs it, the support number has changed.. Hurst tech support is now in southern CA and apparently combined with B&M.. 818-483-1366.
thanks again, I'll post confirmation of the fix tonight.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 137
From: Nashville TN area
Fixed!
Well there ya have it.. 3 out of 4 bolts holding the shifter base down had completely backed out. Somebody clearly missed a lock-tite step during the original install 
10 minutes to fix it, even had lock tite handy.. shifter feels more solid and positive than ever before. not guessing which gear i'm in anymore!
10 minutes to fix it, even had lock tite handy.. shifter feels more solid and positive than ever before. not guessing which gear i'm in anymore!
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
Well there ya have it.. 3 out of 4 bolts holding the shifter base down had completely backed out. Somebody clearly missed a lock-tite step during the original install
10 minutes to fix it, even had lock tite handy.. shifter feels more solid and positive than ever before. not guessing which gear i'm in anymore!
10 minutes to fix it, even had lock tite handy.. shifter feels more solid and positive than ever before. not guessing which gear i'm in anymore!
Glad it was a easy fix.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I had the EXACT same issue! It was even MY fault! 
I was a dumb A$$ and used the screws that came off the OEM shifter (yep there a 1/4" too short ) There was minimal thread engagement and the screws came loose. So, I purchased some longer screws and used some blue locktite and that fixed that issue!!
Make sure that the screws are long enough or it will happen again!
BC
I was a dumb A$$ and used the screws that came off the OEM shifter (yep there a 1/4" too short ) There was minimal thread engagement and the screws came loose. So, I purchased some longer screws and used some blue locktite and that fixed that issue!!
Make sure that the screws are long enough or it will happen again!
BC
