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Replaced Auto shifter cable

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Old Jan 18, 2023 | 03:51 PM
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Default Replaced Auto shifter cable

I got stuck at the Orthopedic Dr office this morning in my 2002 auto hatchback. Backed out and no more shifting, no start as it was in reverse. My Insurance paid for the Tow to the shop. Long story short, replacing the cable cost $478.00. Does this sound about right done in a shop? Sounds like a lot for a plastic fitting that popped off. Thank you.
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Old Jan 18, 2023 | 05:47 PM
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I paid about the same at a Colorado Chevy dealer and got a OEM replacement cable installed.
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Old Jan 18, 2023 | 07:06 PM
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Yup, you have to pay for the time basically. It’s usually 100-120 an hour in labor costs. From my understanding, just replace the little plastic grommets, shifter cable itself should be fine.
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Old Jan 18, 2023 | 07:22 PM
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Did mine myself, first one was NOS from eBay 72.00. But the plastic cracked during installation. ordered one from local dealer 132.00 and still working. That is a weird feeling when you lose shift capabilities.
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Old Jan 18, 2023 | 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Beast
Yup, you have to pay for the time basically. It’s usually 100-120 an hour in labor costs. From my understanding, just replace the little plastic grommets, shifter cable itself should be fine.
I argued that with them and even went to the mechanic and we looked at it together. I was saying just pop it on and wrap some guard to keep it from popping off again. Lol. Yea like a professional shop could do that. If i had a lift I would have found a way. But i was screwed awau from home and pretty much just had to get it done. We looked at the damage and honestly the grommet thing that came off was broken and there was no real safe way to jury rig. They also have to take off the middle exhaust pipes. Or tear the console apart. I'd rather they did it the way they did. They over charged for the cable and I'm going to ask about that tomorrow. But, it's such a common problem and it's done with. I think by 2002 GM should pay but, nope.
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Old Jan 18, 2023 | 07:35 PM
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Mine just turned 20, I need to do this as a pre-emptive repair.
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Old Jan 18, 2023 | 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Life’s good C5
Did mine myself, first one was NOS from eBay 72.00. But the plastic cracked during installation. ordered one from local dealer 132.00 and still working. That is a weird feeling when you lose shift capabilities.
It sure is. I backed up at the Dr office and nothing. Stuck in R. I was right in the middle of 2 sides of parking and can only back up. Then I turned it off and no restart as it was in R.
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Old Jan 18, 2023 | 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by jcgunn
Mine just turned 20, I need to do this as a pre-emptive repair.
I would, especially if you can do it yourself. You can really get stuck in a bad situation and have no warning. Can you imagine if you were barreling down a highway, decided to shift and nothing...
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Old Jan 18, 2023 | 08:04 PM
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Anyone have an actual picture of this grommet and cable setup from under the car? This is scary thought can break anytime 😲
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Old Jan 18, 2023 | 11:30 PM
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I did mine twice one cable and once plastic bushings. First time I fed cable from the top with a sneaker lace and hanger. Saved the Benjamin’s $$
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Old Jan 19, 2023 | 07:44 AM
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Originally Posted by BRKLYN
I did mine twice one cable and once plastic bushings. First time I fed cable from the top with a sneaker lace and hanger. Saved the Benjamin’s $$
To do it from inside you need to take the center console all apart including shifter boot cover ... correct?
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Old Jan 19, 2023 | 08:31 AM
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I have a C6, and 4 years ago backed out in the parking and lot and it towed, they charged me $600.00 for my 05, C6 Corvette, so you got a bargain.
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Old Jan 19, 2023 | 08:38 AM
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Originally Posted by 1bdvet
I have a C6, and 4 years ago backed out in the parking and lot and it towed, they charged me $600.00 for my 05, C6 Corvette, so you got a bargain.
Maybe the message is park so you go straight out. Lol. Thank you. Seems like GM should cover this as it seems like after years of failure they never fixed the poor design.

Last edited by Markmbaha1; Jan 19, 2023 at 11:28 AM.
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Old Jan 19, 2023 | 09:17 AM
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Happened to me 3 years ago when I had my C6. Stuck in park facing the curb. Flatbed couldn't get it on the truck because of that. This is how they ended up doing it. Don't ask me about how we got it off the truck...............it wasn't pretty


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Old Jan 19, 2023 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by RedC5
Anyone have an actual picture of this grommet and cable setup from under the car? This is scary thought can break anytime 😲
Here's the Grommet. There are several in this package but only one is needed.


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Old Jan 19, 2023 | 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by yellow2007
Here's the Grommet. There are several in this package but only one is needed.
On my cable the end that came off, the part that holds that grommet, was actually cracked. I saw it laying on the ground and looked at it with the tec. Nice to know you can buy those though.
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Old Jan 19, 2023 | 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by yellow2007
Happened to me 3 years ago when I had my C6. Stuck in park facing the curb. Flatbed couldn't get it on the truck because of that. This is how they ended up doing it. Don't ask me about how we got it off the truck...............it wasn't pretty

I wonder why they didn't put dolly wheels under the back tires? Then it would have rolled fine.
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Old Jan 19, 2023 | 12:42 PM
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The only time this car stranded me was because of this. On my way to go golfing, rolling along in 2nd gear and then the cable failed. I knew exactly what happened when it failed. Thankfully still made my tee time lol.

Towed it home and repaired the shifter side myself in the driveway. Then replaced the tranny side grommet in the garage later. Unlike you, I was lucky I could get it home. Think I paid about 13 bucks for new parts!

If yours hasn't failed yet, then I think it's a matter of time before it does is my 2 cents worth... Pay me now or pay me later..lol.
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Old Jan 19, 2023 | 12:44 PM
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Seems like a fair price. That's about what it cost to do mine. Sounds like they did the job right. It will last you another 15-20 years.
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Old Jan 19, 2023 | 02:52 PM
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I replace mine when I changed the rear diff gear to 3.15, and all the stuff was out of the way. This year I will replace the harmonic balancer just to remove the chance it fails when I am on a trip.
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