New Problem: Stiff/Hard Gear Selector

I have the 3.1 Lumina (auto).

Yesterday I went to shift into gear and it was harder than usual, I have to use a lot of force to get it into 2nd and 1st (not that I ever use them).

Looked like the problem went away and today I could barely shift into (D). I turned off the car and turned it back on and it seemed a bit more loose but still nagged me so I tried again and it was then loose.


Im guessing gear selector cable, but im a novice. Could it be my tranny going bad? Ive heard of it happening in cold weather. But its 93 today here in Florida so ive ruled that out!

If it's column shift it's probably the cable...the grease inside dries up and they get real hard to pull into gear. If it's console shift a lotta times it's just sticky residue from spilled coffee or soda gumming up the part on the selector that slides with the shifter and covers the slot...they can really put up a fight.A little warm soapy water or WD-40 will clear that up...

Mine has column shift and began getting stiff in the mornings a couple of years ago...there's an adjustment point where the cable can be seperated right next to the left strut tower under the hood...there's a plastic clip you pull off the cable and you can see into both sides of cable housing...I sprayed a little WD-40 in each end and put it back together, it's been fine since...I think think just rehydrated the grease, which had probably all migrated into areas where it didn't do anything for the cable anymore...it felt fine after running it through the whole range a few times after.

You'll have to play with the adjustment a bit if the indicator index is off after...no big deal, just lift the clip and move the ends closer/farther apart and drop the clip back down.

Jeffco,
Is this what your talking about (pic attached).

The cable was routed through a retaining clip on the left strut tower, it goes over the air box (which seems to be whats causing the cable to be tight). Just moving the cable has made shifting super easy again, but I want to lube it just in case. Also open to suggestions since moving the cable has fixed the problem.


Retaining Clip and wire:
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n230/Forscythe87/06-03-08_1734.jpg

Wire and "bobber":

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n230/Forscythe87/06-03-08_1735.jpg

Better view if it running over airbox:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n230/Forscythe87/06-03-08_1736.jpg

Jeffco,
Is this what your talking about (pic attached).

The cable was routed through a retaining clip on the left strut tower, it goes over the air box (which seems to be whats causing the cable to be tight). Just moving the cable has made shifting super easy again, but I want to lube it just in case. Also open to suggestions since moving the cable has fixed the problem.


Retaining Clip and wire:
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n230/Forscythe87/06-03-08_1734.jpg

Wire and "bobber":

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n230/Forscythe87/06-03-08_1735.jpg

Better view if it running over airbox:

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n230/Forscythe87/06-03-08_1736.jpg

your 98 car motor isnt much different then my 96.
The first picture you said you moved the cables and it worked,why dont you tape or tie them together so the stay put :) just a suggestion!!!

Yeah if taking the bind off the cable took care of it, I'd wire tie it in that position. The clip is just where your finger is pointing in the second pic, just to the right of the rubber part with the cracks...you can pull it up one notch to be able to adust the cable length, or all the way off to seperate it.

Yeah if taking the bind off the cable took care of it, I'd wire tie it in that position. The clip is just where your finger is pointing in the second pic, just to the right of the rubber part with the cracks...you can pull it up one notch to be able to adust the cable length, or all the way off to seperate it.
Well all was well up until 20 min ago. Tried reversing and the car wouldnt despite being in (R). I put in in (P) and then (R) again and it worked fine.

It may just be coincidence, can this happen sometimes on an older car?

Im starting to think the cables going bad. But im obviously paranoid. :screwy:

Well all was well up until 20 min ago. Tried reversing and the car wouldnt despite being in (R). I put in in (P) and then (R) again and it worked fine.

It may just be coincidence, can this happen sometimes on an older car?

Im starting to think the cables going bad. But im obviously paranoid. :screwy:\

Um,I'm a girl,and my point of view is probably meaningless,but I would get some trannie sealer,and buy the new cables,and if that doesnt work,then you know you are in deeper water,,,right? Cars are a pain!!

Well all was well up until 20 min ago. Tried reversing and the car wouldnt despite being in (R). I put in in (P) and then (R) again and it worked fine.

It may just be coincidence, can this happen sometimes on an older car?

Im starting to think the cables going bad. But im obviously paranoid. :screwy:
It sounds like the cable may be fraying/stretching. It might be beyond help.

i had the same problem with my 1998 (base) lumina(90,000) miles. i didn,t make any adjustments and didn,t lube it. i did work the selector stick up and down thru the whole range about 20 times. things got better. now every few days i work it thru the range about 5 or 10 times and it,s not hard to shift anymore. the dash indicator is slighly off,but i can live with that.