Trans shifter would not shift trans

[IL KIM]

Hi guys.

I can press shifter button and pull shifter rearward to engage R,N,D etc like normal but when I push forward, the shifter handle moves but does not change gears and no tension/force felt in shifter handle.

Looking under vehicle, the levers and outer manual trans lever all look good. I can move the Trans outer lever manually by hand to shift back to N, R,P.

What’s wrong?  Is the shifter under the center floor console become disconnected?
This is happening at an auto shop where I’m sitting waiting for AC recharge right now.

Thanks.

[IL KIM]

Got home ok. Found out I can rotate the steering column collar to change gears so didn’t have to crawl under car for reverse out of parking space and put into D.  Found out my park brakes still work!  Thanks

[Steve Wood]

Two things to keep in the back of your mind.

1) you can grab the collar and shift the transmission like it is a column shifter

2)  If you keep your alky tank full, you may have enuf alky to get home or a better place if your fuel pump  dies by mashing the test button on the controller whenever the engine is about to die....you can go a pretty good distance doing so.

[IL KIM]

Well I finally got tired of shifting with the column and took the floor console off to see what's going on.  The shifter cable came apart.  See pic. 

Is there a repair procedure you guys have used?  I cut some of the plastic sheathing off and the steel cable sheathing does fits back into the plastic retainer.  Was thinking I could clamp the retainer over the cable or run a set-screw in through the retainer to hold the steel sheathing?  Or is best bet to find a new cable?  Thanks!

[Steve Wood]

I would think for the long term, a new cable would be the way to go

[gnonyx]

Well I finally got tired of shifting with the column and took the floor console off to see what's going on.  The shifter cable came apart.  See pic. 

Is there a repair procedure you guys have used?  I cut some of the plastic sheathing off and the steel cable sheathing does fits back into the plastic retainer.  Was thinking I could clamp the retainer over the cable or run a set-screw in through the retainer to hold the steel sheathing?  Or is best bet to find a new cable?  Thanks!

I just replaced this cable and it fits great
Amazon has them or you can check with EBay for better price, if you can find it
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C8TB3W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[IL KIM]

Thank you gnonyx! Ordered it from Amazon and it should arrive tomorrow. 

Was installation straight forward - does cable go from trans outer manual lever to shifter or does the steering column come into play?

[gnonyx]

Thank you gnonyx! Ordered it from Amazon and it should arrive tomorrow. 

Was installation straight forward - does cable go from trans outer manual lever to shifter or does the steering column come into play?

I didn't want to remove the whole console, and the shifter handle, so I remove the bolts holding down the console lift it high enough and place about 5-7" empty box on the rear of the console. I was able to lift the front of the console to remove the shifter cable clip, and slide off the cable from the shifter. Go underneath the car and remove the clip from the other end of the shifter cable, and pull cable from underneath car, and reverse procedure of installing new shifter cable.
You might need the really work on trying to push the new shifter cable through the floor rubber grommet. Worst scenario, you might need to cut rubber grommet on one side, once cable is inside rubber grommet install the rubber grommet back into position as before; don't leave the grommet out.

[Steve Wood]

lubricate the grommet...may help it slide

[IL KIM]

Thank you both. I already removed the shifter handle and console so the cable replacement sounds pretty straight forward. Lube is always good! 

[IL KIM]

Update to close out this thread.  Installation of new cable was straight forward and relatively easy.  I did have open up the hole on the floor shifter end about a 0.6mm to fit over the shaft but new cable works well - thanks gnonyx!   
Now to fix my ghost horn issue that popped up...