A6 shifter problem 2008
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,253
Likes: 768
From: Waterford WI
A6 shifter problem 2008
My shifter will move from neutral to drive and to manual, but will not go into reverse or park. The **** on the side of the shifter is rock hard and impossible to depress. I have read a number of threads here, but haven’t found my specific issue. Any ideas? I can tear into it if I need to, but want to be better informed when I do. TIA for help
Pro
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 643
Likes: 93
From: MA
Sounds to me
Like a bad cable or bushing (grommet) at either end of the cable not getting the extra inch of movement required for the PARK or REVERSE.
Some guys will just replace the bushings . But I replaced the OEM CABLE which actually came with the bushings. For me it was 2 much work messing with everything and not just being D for done. My cable was not acting up but I was under the car doing Billy Boat Fusion Bi Mode so I laid under the car a little bit longer replacing a 100% functioning cable at 50k
The cable gets a lot of heat in the tourque tunnel.
You can get a visual on the transmission selector bushing from underneath to see if that’s possibly the problem and it is easier to see and service in low 1 really tight with the exhaust up that’s why I did with exhaust dropped when I was swapping exhaust
Good Luck keep us posted
Some guys will just replace the bushings . But I replaced the OEM CABLE which actually came with the bushings. For me it was 2 much work messing with everything and not just being D for done. My cable was not acting up but I was under the car doing Billy Boat Fusion Bi Mode so I laid under the car a little bit longer replacing a 100% functioning cable at 50k
The cable gets a lot of heat in the tourque tunnel.
You can get a visual on the transmission selector bushing from underneath to see if that’s possibly the problem and it is easier to see and service in low 1 really tight with the exhaust up that’s why I did with exhaust dropped when I was swapping exhaust
Good Luck keep us posted
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,163
Likes: 7,439
From: Pittsburgh
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Sounds like you are in for a cable/bushing change in your near future
Pro
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 643
Likes: 93
From: MA
Negative 😂 Excessively stepping on the Brake !
When you are pressing the brake to remove the Automatic transmission from PARK
The brake light switch (above your brake pedal) has a wire that goes to a solenoid that has a Pawl (claw) attached to it, that will not allow the shifter to be removed from PARK without your foot on the brake
Pawl located in your shifter tower . Under your shifter
the signal from the brake switch sending the signal to the pawl SOLENOID allowing the gear shift from PARK the brake has done its job
ALLOWING selection from PARK
If it was a Solenoid or Pawl Claw issue you wouldn’t be getting out of PARK . Which stepping on the brake pedal gently re trying the signal to the pawl with your fingers crossed
The pawl is another can of worms ! There’s a ton of different threads of how to troubleshoot and fix . Good luck ever trying to find an Automatic Shift Tower ! But this is definitely not the OP’s problem
Last edited by CorvetteCam91ZO7; Aug 7, 2025 at 11:19 AM. Reason: Spelling
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,351
Likes: 2,445
From: Eastern
This is a known issue for those that have been on here since the beginning of the c6 forum.
This is caused by a faulty microswitch whih releases the locking pawl to allow the shifter to be moved from Park once the brake pedal is depressed.
I'm assuming that the shifter was difficult to move out of Park, sine the locking pawl did not fully release, thus why you can't get it back to Park.
You need to remove the radio surround consle, then remove or pull back the shifter boot and remove the upper shufter mechanism to get to the locking pawl.
You an replae the switch, or you can do what most of us have done, and that is to tie back the loking pawl with a wire.
I've attached the HOW TO PDF. I also have the instrution to remove the radio surround console if you need that.
Good Luck
This is caused by a faulty microswitch whih releases the locking pawl to allow the shifter to be moved from Park once the brake pedal is depressed.
I'm assuming that the shifter was difficult to move out of Park, sine the locking pawl did not fully release, thus why you can't get it back to Park.
You need to remove the radio surround consle, then remove or pull back the shifter boot and remove the upper shufter mechanism to get to the locking pawl.
You an replae the switch, or you can do what most of us have done, and that is to tie back the loking pawl with a wire.
I've attached the HOW TO PDF. I also have the instrution to remove the radio surround console if you need that.
Good Luck
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,917
Likes: 451
From: Central NJ
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