Shifting just stopped (Page 1/2)
SamanthaM NOV 08, 04:11 PM
I was driving home and put her into 4th gear and when I did it felt "funny". I can no longer shift out of that gear, the shifter just went to total play, no tension at all.

I did manage to get her home and in the garage. I checked to see if the shift cable popped off the bolt, it did not. I pulled my console piece and I cannot see anything that looks broken there. I went back to the shift cable and I can see the shifter move as I move the cable from behind?

I had no hard shifts beforehand and she has been purring like a kitten. Did I break the shift cable or am I not looking at the right things when I look at my shift assembly? If anyone has a good picture I can compare my shift assembly to, I would greatly appreciate it.

BTW, it's an 86SE V6 4 speed muncie.
Gall757 NOV 08, 04:27 PM
'total play' in both directions? Left-Right and Up-Down? (side to side and front to back)

[This message has been edited by Gall757 (edited 11-08-2020).]

SamanthaM NOV 08, 04:52 PM
Side to side (select) still has tension to it but front to back is total play. I can push in the clutch and it takes it to a "neutral" but I cannot shift out of fourth.
Gall757 NOV 08, 05:16 PM
Shift cable broke. If you can detach it at the transmission and slide it at all, it broke internally.
SamanthaM NOV 08, 05:26 PM
In the engine bay I was very easily moving it in and out and could see the shifter moving inside the cabin. It moved front to back. That is the shift cable right? Side to side is Select?

[This message has been edited by SamanthaM (edited 11-08-2020).]

Gall757 NOV 08, 06:01 PM
correct. How are the levers on the transmission?
SamanthaM NOV 08, 06:26 PM

quote
Originally posted by Gall757:

correct. How are the levers on the transmission?



Sorry to sound stupid, but...are you talking about where the cables bolt to those brackets? If so, the select cable and bracket are tight. When I pop the shift cable off of the ball stud, that arm/bracket moves freely and doesn't look cracked or broken?

If the shift cable is broken, why can I move the bracket with the cable attached in the engine bay and the shifter in the cabin moves forward and back?

[This message has been edited by SamanthaM (edited 11-08-2020).]

Gall757 NOV 08, 06:44 PM
I don't know anything about a 4 speed, but It sounds like something is wrong inside your transmission. Let's wait for an expert to post a comment.
Mike in Sydney NOV 08, 06:45 PM

quote
Originally posted by SamanthaM:

If the shift cable is broken, why can I move the bracket with the cable attached in the engine bay and the shifter in the cabin moves forward and back?




Maybe because the cable sheath is causing the movement? Also, if the inner cable is broken, moving the cable from the transmission end may be causing the two ends to butt together and cause the movement in the shifter.

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Mike in Sydney

SamanthaM NOV 08, 07:08 PM
since I replaced the master and slave cylinders I have never had a problem shifting, no grinding ever. Had the tranny fluid checked. I am at a loss? after it happened, I could depress the clutch and still slow down and then let off the clutch to accelorate more but it was still in fourth gear. The shifter in just total slop forward and back.

From the engine bay, I can see the rod move in and out of the cable sheath and the shifter moved in unison with it forward and back?

I'm sorry I'm not more technical with my description, I am just not familiar with this part of my car?