This has been on my list of to-do's since I bought this truck. It's obvious that the guy who owned it before me rested his hand on the transmission selector switch (on the steering column) while he drove. It is noticeably loose. It doesn't affect gear selection or transmission operation, but when it's in the drive/overdrive position, the needle almost points to the "2" position. I've looked under the truck and the connection to the transmission seems to be solid. Is there an adjustment there I can play with to tighten it up. Maybe in the steering column? Can I tighten this up or am I just stuck with it?

Any information is welcome. Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I just found the shift indicator cable adjustment in my shop manual. I'm going to try that, but does anybody know the purpose of hanging a 3lb weight on the gear shift lever?

 

i know that some of them have a adjuster on the cable going to the PRNDL
it's like a little turn wheel that you just tighten up

 

There are two bushing on the shaft that comes off of the gear shifter and these tend to go bad and give the slop. I had to replace mine. Here is a picture: http://s481.photobucket.com/albums/r...t=IM004867.jpg Also here is a picture of the indicator selector adjuster: http://s481.photobucket.com/albums/r...t=IM004866.jpg

 

I'll give it a try tomorrow. Going camping so things are busy between work and packing to leave tomorrow. I'l probably try it tomorrow night at the campground (with a beer ). Hopefully it's just the adjustment and not the bushings, otherwise it will have to wait until Monday .

Thanks for the quick replies.

 

I don't mean to hijack this thread but since it is on topic, my shifter works great but it doesn't line up the shifter stops with the gear indicator on the trans. Is there an adjustment in the cable? I looked but couldn't see one, (although that doesn't mean much these days).

 

There is an adjustment wheel on the lower right side of the steering column. Remove the large panel under the wheel that covers the fuse box and you will see it.

 

Look at my post above. Look at the adjusting pic. Remove the fuse panel cover and you should be able to see it under the steering column. It has a little round gear with a wire coming out. Just turn the gear and adjust the position.

 

This adjusts the shiftcable?

 

It does not adjust the shift cable just the little indicator that show what gear you are in.

 

Ok, My indicator is ok. I need the shift cable adjusted and I don't see any place to do it. Thanks anyway.

 

Maybe there's an adjustment you can do at the transmission. You can see where the cable connects to the selector on the tranny (it's on the driver's side of the tranny under the truck). There might be some kind of adjustment there. Just a thought.

 

So I adjusted my orange indicator needle with the **** in the dash. At least it indicated "D" when I'm in it.

How much play should be in the selector handle? If I jiggle the handle when it's selected to a gear (1, 2 or D/OD) I easily have 1" of play in the handle. Is this normal or should I be figuring out how to tighten this?

 

Posted by Roland (Mueckster) on FTE 4-17-2009

Thanks Roland

Cable and Bracket Adjustment

Place the gearshift lever in the (D) position.
Place an eight pound weight on the gearshift lever. (Just apply some downward force on th lever)
Raise and support the vehicle.
Disconnect the transmission shift cable from the manual lever. (Lever on left side of Trans)
Unlock the lock tab on the transmission shift cable.

Place the manual control lever in the (D) position.
Place the manual control lever in the first gear position.
Move the manual control lever two detents to the (D) position.

Connect the transmission shift cable to the manual control lever.

Lock the transmission shift cable lock tab.

Lower the vehicle.

Carefully move the gearshift lever from detent to detent and compare with transmission settings. Verify that the vehicle will start in PARK or NEUTRAL and backup lamps illuminate in REVERSE. If not, Steps 1-5 must be repeated and include digital TR or TR sensor adjustment in NEUTRAL. Readjust if necessary.

This picture may be showing the direction for re-latching the tab, but you get the idea.

 

Also, there are a couple of torx screws on the steering column for the gear selector handle that sometimes work loose. Look up above brake pedel to column to locate. Tightening these if loose should lessen shifter play.

 

Thanks for the info. That's pretty much what my shop manual says, except it tells me to use a 3lb weight (a little less pressure).