Problem with the shift cable

ANSWER : Hi there. Many electronically controlled transmissions are computer controlled. With that said, the input signals for the engine can have a direct affect on the transmission behavior. Do no rely on scan tool recommendations because it is just that, a recommendation and not a diagnosis. Think of the scan tool you witnessed as a tool to sell parts, nothing more. A capable scan tool provides more than codes; it provides live data to the technician to aid in the diagnosis. When the computer sees an operating condition that is out of specification it sets a code; it does not know what or why, but only that it is out of spec. The code leads the technician to the system that has the fault; it does not diagnose it. Before you do anything, have the battery tested. A bad cell or low state of health can wreak havoc on an electrical system. I suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several technicians available that can assist you with a check engine light inspection and a car is shifting hard inspection.

ANSWER : It can be tricky, especially as the cable is usually buried amidst other components. The best approach is use the steps in the car manual because that way you do not have to improvise. However, if the manual is not accessible, you can request cable replacement by a trained professional and he or she will have that documentation at hand. The recommended service is shift cable replacement. If you request that service, the responding certified mechanic will get the cable replacement taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

ANSWER : If the cable has stretched, the position at the transmission, and the position shown on the shifter may not be the same. If possible, disconnect the cable at the transmission. Then shift the transmission to neutral by hand. Once this is done, put the shifter lever into the neutral position, and see if the cable lines up to the mount without having to push or pull on it. If it doesn’t slip on with very little effort, the cable could have stretched and need to be replaced. If you would like to have this problem scoped out, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the hard starting and assist with repair.

ANSWER : Since the mechanic has seen, heard, and felt what your Tercel is struggling with, they may have a much better position to say than I. From what you describe, it’s also possible you are feeling your clutch not fully disengaging. That makes it hard to get into first. You could ask him to check that. Before you drive off, try shifting it into second, then first. Sometimes that will make it go into first easier. The old cars like to be treated gently and not rushed when shifting. If you want to have a second opinion on the car, a technician from YourMechanic can road test your vehicle to pinpoint the cause of your rough shifting issue.

ANSWER : Hello. There could be a problem with the shifter cable or the shifter linkage from the transmission to the shifter. There also could be a problem with the slave cylinder, causing it to be hard to shift at times. A lot of times when the slave cylinder is going bad, it causes the car to be hard to shift at times. I would suggest that you have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, inspect your cars shifting issue.

ANSWER : If you have all the drive shafts in the front and rear, then you will damage the transfer case or one of the axles if you drive the vehicle and engage the front end. The two different gear ratios will do this. As far as the transmission goes, you have a problem with the governor inside the transmission and may have bad second gear parts. Have a mechanic pressure test the transmission and diagnose the shifting issue for you.

ANSWER : Hi there. Transmission fluid should be flushed every 50,000 miles to help avoid issues like you are experiencing. So, it’s probably a good idea to have your transmission fluid flushed and filter replaced, as the obstruction of debris or worn out fluid can cause the hard to shift issue you’re experiencing.

ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. The first thing I recommend is to make sure the ATF (automatic transmission fluid) is full.

Does the transmission shift up a gear or two and stay in that gear, or does it drive fine for a bit, then stop shifting until you turn the car off or sit still with the motor running? Or, do you continue to drive and eventually it begins shifting again. Are there any codes?

What I would do if I were diagnosing your truck would be to connect a scanner and study the data while driving to know what is going on. Without said data and not quite being clear about what is happening, it comes down to solenoids or sensors that the TCM (transmission control module) uses to calculated shift points based on load values determined by the PCM (powertrain control module).

I’m afraid all I can offer you at this point is suggesting you make sure the fluid is full and clean. If it isn’t clean, begin by replacing the filter in the pan and do a transmission fluid exchange, not just pan drop with a drain and fill. This doesn’t get all the ATF out of the transmission, and when there are problems, it pays to be as thorough as possible.

I recommend the following inspection if you should need further assistance: Car hard to shift

Hope this helps and best of luck!