Auto Linkage fail?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 260
Likes: 1
From: Cape Coral FL
Auto Linkage fail?
Got in car, started, pushed the Auto Shift button to move to Reverse and the shifter just moves completely freely with no feeling of resistance moving back and forth. Car is stuck in Park - move the shifter wherever you want but is not hitting Reverse or any Forward gear.
Will jack it up tomorrow to see what I can, but is there a known issue with linkage becoming disengaged at the tranny?
If so, is there any parts I need to take with me? The car is at work in the parking lot.
After looking thru the search function I did find: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...with-pics.html
So, bushing can fail at shifter end too. Guess I'll try to find a pack of these repair bushings, but also be ready for disconnection at the transmission end.
Will jack it up tomorrow to see what I can, but is there a known issue with linkage becoming disengaged at the tranny?
If so, is there any parts I need to take with me? The car is at work in the parking lot.
After looking thru the search function I did find: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...with-pics.html
So, bushing can fail at shifter end too. Guess I'll try to find a pack of these repair bushings, but also be ready for disconnection at the transmission end.
Last edited by R2R; Apr 2, 2013 at 05:36 PM. Reason: added a find from search
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
On 4L60E transmissions, there's a nylon push-on type attachment at the transmission end of the shift cable. With any luck, if it didn't break, it may have just popped off of the ball stud on the transmission shift detent selector.
I don't believe there are any replaceable parts, other than the entire shift cable as a complete unit. You'll probably need to get the right side of the car up on jack stands to look at it.
I don't believe there are any replaceable parts, other than the entire shift cable as a complete unit. You'll probably need to get the right side of the car up on jack stands to look at it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 260
Likes: 1
From: Cape Coral FL
On 4L60E transmissions, there's a nylon push-on type attachment at the transmission end of the shift cable. With any luck, if it didn't break, it may have just popped off of the ball stud on the transmission shift detent selector.
I don't believe there are any replaceable parts, other than the entire shift cable as a complete unit. You'll probably need to get the right side of the car up on jack stands to look at it.
I don't believe there are any replaceable parts, other than the entire shift cable as a complete unit. You'll probably need to get the right side of the car up on jack stands to look at it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Good find on your forum thread search!
A pack of those bushings from HELP might come in handy. Let us know what you find. Good luck tomorrow!
A pack of those bushings from HELP might come in handy. Let us know what you find. Good luck tomorrow!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 260
Likes: 1
From: Cape Coral FL
Just like Quicksilver said: A plastic bushing that holds the shifter cable to the transmission had fallen out, probably due to to heat and age, and without the bushing the cable fell away from the shaft arm. Was able to reach up between the driver side exhaust pipe with the rear jacked up and place the cable back on and used a zip tie as temp fix. Bought a pack of various size bushings at Auto zone and hope to make perm repair. Oh, GM does not sell bushing by itself! Go figure!
Last edited by R2R; Apr 3, 2013 at 09:03 PM. Reason: Props to Quicksilver
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Just like Quicksilver said: A plastic bushing that holds the shifter cable to the transmission had fallen out, probably due to to heat and age, and without the bushing the cable fell away from the shaft arm. Was able to reach up between the driver side exhaust pipe with the rear jacked up and place the cable back on and used a zip tie as temp fix. Bought a pack of various size bushings at Auto zone and hope to make perm repair. Oh, GM does not sell bushing by itself! Go figure!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 260
Likes: 1
From: Cape Coral FL
And let me add one more thing for those who may have this trouble at any time.
You could probably get yourself home, if your problem is the same as mine was, by laying down on the ground next to the drivers side rear tire with your head towards the front of the car. REALLY IMPORTANT THIS: You will need a person in the drivers seat with their foot on the brake while you reach to the transmission lever, located low on the drivers side of the tranny, and move the lever to either get in reverse or forward gear. Remove yourself from beside the car before having your helper move the car - and note the car will stay in gear, so don't have that person get out of the car until the car is shut down.
Note this clearly: I am not proposing you do the above - I personally would to get myself home - but, YOUR SAFETY and THOSE AROUND YOU IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. More important than saving a towing bill.
If this note violates any forum rules, for goodness sake let me know and I'll remove it. R2
You could probably get yourself home, if your problem is the same as mine was, by laying down on the ground next to the drivers side rear tire with your head towards the front of the car. REALLY IMPORTANT THIS: You will need a person in the drivers seat with their foot on the brake while you reach to the transmission lever, located low on the drivers side of the tranny, and move the lever to either get in reverse or forward gear. Remove yourself from beside the car before having your helper move the car - and note the car will stay in gear, so don't have that person get out of the car until the car is shut down.
Note this clearly: I am not proposing you do the above - I personally would to get myself home - but, YOUR SAFETY and THOSE AROUND YOU IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. More important than saving a towing bill.
If this note violates any forum rules, for goodness sake let me know and I'll remove it. R2
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: Coral Springs Fl
Thanks for posting R2R, I think you saved me a lot of time and expense. Me and my 99 coupe, A4 are 1300 miles from home, tools and service manuals. Was a little panicked when the shifter wasn't engaging the transmission. Fortunately my bushing came off the transmission linkage as I was backing onto ramps at a relative's house. LOL Couldn't have asked for a better time for the cable to disconnect. Pulled the console and everything looked good there then got underneath and saw the cable hanging. Looked like all it needs is the bushing. Was late and walked to a nearby Auto Zone and picked up the bushings. Will install tomorrow.
Just really wanted to say thanks, I owe you one.
As I was walking to the store, just thinking back and grateful it happened in a driveway, backing onto ramps and didn't happen on the road trip here. Whew.
Just really wanted to say thanks, I owe you one.
As I was walking to the store, just thinking back and grateful it happened in a driveway, backing onto ramps and didn't happen on the road trip here. Whew.
Last edited by Florida99; Aug 24, 2013 at 08:44 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
Had the same problem on my 98.
Here is a link with some pictures of the linkage connector.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...r-problem.html
Here is a link with some pictures of the linkage connector.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...r-problem.html