Thread: Shift cable adjustment

Hi, I'm new to this forum and I'm hoping someone can help me out with a couple of problems. I just put a used tranny in my 99 Grand Prix. I won't say it went well, but it was the first time for me so I can't complain. I am having trouble with the shift cable adjustment - all the gears are off by one. I have the Haynes manual, but it only says not to remove the clips from the coupler and talks about how to install a replacement cable. Is there a way to just adjust the existing cable? It seems there should be a simple way to do this, I just can'f figure it out. There is a small amount of play in the bolts for the bracket, but not enough. Another problem, during removal of the old tranny, I broke the wires off of the speed sensor connector. I spliced them back together but I'm getting an abs light and traction light. I'm assuming the splice screwed with the current reading and is triggering these lights. Anyone have suggestions on fixing the connector, short of replacing the 2 wires back to wherever they go under the dashboard?

Problem number 1- Follow the cable to the adjuster. It's the round black plastic thing. You'll need to take the clip off then you turn it. You will hear it clicking. This is the cable adjusting. Put the gear select in park and adjust it this way. It's a little easier.



Problem number 2- Be sure you have all of the wires connected and plugged in. There's one that is hard to see when the tranny is plugged in. You have to climb under the car to see it. Also make sure the plug to the rack and pinion is plugged in (it's also a hard one) becuase this will also cause this issue.

Is the adjustment done at the coupler at the top of the engine compartment (near the brake fluid resevior) or at the bracket that is bolted to the transmission? The reason I am so hesitant is that the manual says not to remove either clip at the coupler or a new cable set will need to be purchased. If the adjustment is the upper one (at the coupler), would I remove the clip on the transmission side of the coupler to adjust? The Haynes manual refers to this as the adjuster clip but says not to remove it. I just want to be sure before I dive into it.

Thanks

Not sure why it say's not to do that. The thing that I am refering to is near the firewall by the brake booster.


It should have a plastic clip on it with an arrow. After you take that off you can move the cable in or out. When you get it where it needs to be put the clip back on. And that's it!

OK, so I finally got back to my project. I was able to adjust the shift cable so the transmission matches the console shifter. My problem is the gear indicator on the dash is still one off (shows reverse when I am in neutral). The park/neutral switch as slotted holes for adjustment, but not enough. I have tried both the one from the "new" tranny as well as from the old one, both with the same result. The shaft for the gear shift and the mating hole on the park/neutral shift have flat sides, so it can really only go on one way. Am I missing something? Could both switches be bad?

Hmmm. Can't help you on that one. Sorry.