I am doing some maintenance work on the A6 shifter in my 2006 C6 3LT base coupe with 42k miles. It shifts and drives fine and I have already replaced the front shift cable bushing, but the light bulb for the gear indicator does not work and the gear indicator is broken and I worry about the shifter lock. I have removed the shifter from the car, no problem. My first task was to fix the broken shift gear indicator with a kit I got from Corvette Central. I removed the old gear indicator, but to insert the new indicator into the hole in the shifter shaft, I have to remove the shift ****. Problem one. I have rotated the plastic collar under the shift ****, about 10* clockwise, until it clicked and pushed down on the collar, just as I understand the process. I tried as hard as I could with the lower shift lever in a vise on my work bench, but cannot get the **** to pull off. Am I missing something or do I have to bolt the shifter back in the car and bust a gut to pull it off? It just exhibits no intention of pulling off. See first picture.

Problem two. I detached the shift indicator light bulb socket from under the gear indicator but cannot remove the bulb from the socket. I have twisted it, pushed it in and twisted it and swore at it but I cannot get it to budge. What an I missing? See second picture.

Problem three. I wanted to tie back the shifter lock tab, but it had been cut off(!) sometime before I bought the car. Will that accomplish the same effect as tying the tab back? I have never had a hint of a problem shifting out of park. See third picture.

I really want to fix this shifter and not have to purchase a new one and would really appreciate any insights into dealing with any of these issues. Thanks!

 

Replying to myself. I fit some thin channel lock pliers between the shift **** and collar and gave the plier a smart upward whack with a dead blow hammer and Bob's your uncle, the shift **** popped right off. Work smarter, not harder.

Now to cogitate on the light bulb and assess the shift lock situation. Two better pictures:

 

WRT problem #3, you’ll never have to worry now about the shifter getting locked in the Park position. Cutting that #%@ pawl off is a permanent solution to that problem. IMO, better than trying to tie it off.

 

Thank you! That was the exact response I was hoping for. Problem three resolved.

As for the shift indicator light bulb, I ran 12v pos and ground to the two pins in the connector under the center console going into the shifter light bulb and the bulb came on, so the bulb is confirmed good and I can reinstall the shifter and track down the wiring issue on the other side of the connector at my leisure. And if I cannot track down that wiring rabbit hole and the worst problem my C6 has is a non-operating gear shift indicator light, I can probably sleep in peace for a while. Problem two in progress.

The shift **** removal/replace is done and the shifter is reassembled, so Problem one is resolved.

Time for a rum and coke and a good cigar and watch the rest of the golf and prepare for the Super Bowl. My job here is done for now. Thanks!

 

Hi,

I'm having the same problem with my indicator light bulb not coming on. Did you ever track down the source of the problem?

 

Here is the wiring diagram.

 

Cool, thanks!