Help with auto shifter
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 242
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From: Orlando Florida
Help with auto shifter
So I recently changed my auto cable shifter in my 98 c5 coupe a4 with an OEM shifter cable for 97-04 vettes. After dropping the h pipe and tunnel plate it wasn't as bad as I thought replacing it. At the same time my starter goes out. So I went ahead and replaced that while the exhaust was off. Now my question is, is their a way to adjust the tension on the cable? When I put it in N I can easily give it a slight push to D without pushing on the shifter button and the same thing when I drop it in gears. When I drop it down to 1, I can easily slide it back up to D also without pushing on the shifter button and any hesitation at all. Did my shifter break? Will I need a new one? Is their a way to fix this?
mods: headers, exhaust, cai
mods: headers, exhaust, cai
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 500
From: Hilton NY
The plastic clip assembly at the transmission end of the shifter cable is where to adjust the detent in the transmission to match the position of the shifter. If the two are off then it's possible that the button controlled gate is between positions and not locking into the correct gear. The shifter gate design might allow upshifting without having to push the button, someone with a stock shifter can answer that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,751
Likes: 181
From: Pueblo, CO
I have a stock shifter in my A4 `03 AE.
I tested my shifter and the following gear changes do not require the button to be pushed:
R-N-D-3-2-1
1-2-3-D-N
You should be able to push the shifter from N to D and from D to N without pushing the button. This is normal to all OEM automatic transmissions.
You should also be able to push from 1 to 2 to 3 to D on all OEM auto transmissions without pushing the button. Again, this is normal operation on all cars.
The only gear changes requiring a button push is from P to R, from N to R and from R to P. Again, entirely normal across all OEM auto transmissions.
I tested my shifter and the following gear changes do not require the button to be pushed:
R-N-D-3-2-1
1-2-3-D-N
You should be able to push the shifter from N to D and from D to N without pushing the button. This is normal to all OEM automatic transmissions.
You should also be able to push from 1 to 2 to 3 to D on all OEM auto transmissions without pushing the button. Again, this is normal operation on all cars.
The only gear changes requiring a button push is from P to R, from N to R and from R to P. Again, entirely normal across all OEM auto transmissions.
Last edited by DanSavage; Nov 12, 2013 at 02:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
The plastic clip assembly at the transmission end of the shifter cable is where to adjust the detent in the transmission to match the position of the shifter. If the two are off then it's possible that the button controlled gate is between positions and not locking into the correct gear. The shifter gate design might allow upshifting without having to push the button, someone with a stock shifter can answer that.
I have a stock shifter in my A4 `03 AE.
I tested my shifter and the following gear changes do not require the button to be pushed:
R-N-D-3-2-1
1-2-3-D-N
You should be able to push the shifter from N to D and from D to N without pushing the button. This is normal to all OEM automatic transmissions.
You should also be able to push from 1 to 2 to 3 to D on all OEM auto transmissions without pushing the button. Again, this is normal operation on all cars.
The only gear changes requiring a button push is from P to R, from N to R and from R to P. Again, entirely normal across all OEM auto transmissions.
I tested my shifter and the following gear changes do not require the button to be pushed:
R-N-D-3-2-1
1-2-3-D-N
You should be able to push the shifter from N to D and from D to N without pushing the button. This is normal to all OEM automatic transmissions.
You should also be able to push from 1 to 2 to 3 to D on all OEM auto transmissions without pushing the button. Again, this is normal operation on all cars.
The only gear changes requiring a button push is from P to R, from N to R and from R to P. Again, entirely normal across all OEM auto transmissions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 5,751
Likes: 181
From: Pueblo, CO
I understand that but with mine its like the cable was broke again (I know its not because I checked) I can slide from 1 to D (I can feel the transmission shift) like butter. Also when I drop it to 1st, it doesnt feel like its in 1st gear. It feels more like its in 2nd when I drive and I cant feel the tranny change when I shift to 3rd.
FWIW, mine has a distinct and tactile detent for each gear position.
I have not driven it to see how the transmission behaves in each gear position or when changing gears while driving.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
ALL FIXED!!! Luckily I kept the original tranny cable that I took out and I studied it to see how to adjust it. Thanks to "Fast One" for pointing me in the right direction. I thought my auto shifter broke, So I have been searching for a used a4 shifter which runs for about $200 on ebay!! Well Anyways I took her out for a test drive around the block and I can control the gears again!! And To think I was just about to give up and take her to the dealership and have them take a look at it...But forget all that now!
Here is the plastic clip that connects to the Tranny. In the middle is the adjuster which has a spring inside it. (BTW This is the original cable that was replaced) It was set 4 teeth down. When I looked under the car that piece was loose and half way off. No wonder my shifter wasnt acting right. So being in a tight spot I took a flat head and pop it off the tranny and adjusted it 4 teeth down like the OEM.
And here is part of the rest of the cable. When it first happened I took apart the center console and pulled up on the cable a little to hard and snapped a plastic piece :/.
The end that broke off the shifter.
Here is the plastic clip that connects to the Tranny. In the middle is the adjuster which has a spring inside it. (BTW This is the original cable that was replaced) It was set 4 teeth down. When I looked under the car that piece was loose and half way off. No wonder my shifter wasnt acting right. So being in a tight spot I took a flat head and pop it off the tranny and adjusted it 4 teeth down like the OEM.
And here is part of the rest of the cable. When it first happened I took apart the center console and pulled up on the cable a little to hard and snapped a plastic piece :/.
The end that broke off the shifter.
Last edited by vetteboy850; Nov 12, 2013 at 04:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Orlando Florida
then pop the clip back in. (To adjust it you will need a flat head to pop the clip that holds the spring on the opposite side of the teeth area.) Do this so the shifter shifts right and not just slide with no type of hesitation and you can actually feel your tranny shift at the right gears.
Last edited by vetteboy850; Nov 12, 2013 at 10:42 PM.
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