96 regal stiff shift into gear when cold

[EVERETT HOOVER]

96 Regal stiff shift into gear when cold. Acts like it is in heavy thick oil. Automaric. Run for a block and it will be ok. No problems in the actual trans. shifting as the car is moving. I don't know if the problem is internal or in the linkage. THANKS to any with any suggestion.

[sierrap615]

Originally Posted by EVERETT HOOVER

Acts like it is in heavy thick oil.

did you check the AFT fluid? it should be red.

[Ruley73]

Do you mean it shifts stiff when the engine is cold or when the weather is cold? If the latter is true then this is perfectly normal. My '95 Regal does the same thing in the winter time and it has a rebuilt tranny with 20K on it. I wouldn't worry about it, especially if it drives fine otherwise.

[DBSTTN]

Here is your answer,,I had this problem,, ar 15 below zero I could hardly get the car into drive....to check the cable ,disconnect your battery,, to stop the chimes and lights you have to have the shifter in drive one and the column all the way down,,,,rmove your shroud around your insterment panel,,,,it snaps into place ,only the cigerette litter has to be diconnected,,,,it isn't easy but will come out
look on top of the column there under the speedometer is a triangle type thing with the trans cable ,it is white nylon that just snaps on the post,,,and one pivot point and a slot with a nylon ball in it..this ball slids when you pull the shifter,,,,which pulls the transmission cable
use a very light oil and lu the pivot point and the nyylon ball.
just one or two drops of light oil...I used a lonf screw drivewr and dipped it into the oil,,,thats all it took 3 or 4 drops
this fixed mine,,
,,the dealer wanted to put in a $80 cable,,,,,,,,,,,,,let me know how you come out

[virgamanda]

dbsttn is correct, I had the same problem and did as he did. The car shift 100% like new afterwards. Just needs a little lubrication on the linkage.

[DBSTTN]

do you have any ideas why a gas gauge stopped working completely,,I am going to check the relay today,,,new gauge cluster $230,( rebuilt ),,new sending unit is around$300 to $350.
if it is just a relay it would be great,,,,,,,,,,,,,,