Linkage Issue. Need some direction please.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 465
Likes: 13
From: Hickory, North Carolina
Linkage Issue. Need some direction please.
First, I have not had a chance to look into this issue but I would appreciate some direction for when I have a look this weekend.
Had a no start issue. I pulled up on the gear shift and it cranked fine.
I then noticed the gear shift felt spongy when shifting to reverse and it actually did not go into reverse. Shifted to neutral then to reverse and it felt normal and actually went into revere as normal.
Thought about the neutral safety switch but that wouldn't explain the whole reverse thing.....
Your suggestion are appreciated.
David
Had a no start issue. I pulled up on the gear shift and it cranked fine.
I then noticed the gear shift felt spongy when shifting to reverse and it actually did not go into reverse. Shifted to neutral then to reverse and it felt normal and actually went into revere as normal.
Thought about the neutral safety switch but that wouldn't explain the whole reverse thing.....
Your suggestion are appreciated.
David
Last edited by SC_Dave; Mar 19, 2026 at 12:51 PM.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 465
Likes: 13
From: Hickory, North Carolina
David
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,247
Likes: 7,667
From: Chino Valley, Arizona
There are 2 torx bolts at the end of the shift shaft under the dash that come loose. When they come loose the lever can't get the transmission seated in park and the range sensor won't close the start circuit.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 465
Likes: 13
From: Hickory, North Carolina
Very good! I will start there. Thank you!
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 906
Likes: 289
From: E TN
At the bottom of the column you will find the lever that moves the shift cable, the bolts come loose. They are torx bolts I think #25, remove ONE bolt and use blue Loctite on it then do the other bolt. It's also good to check the shift shaft bushings. The shaft runs down the top of the column and has saddles that hold it in place and plastic bushings that the shaft rides on. You can replace the bushings by just dropping the column. You have to be careful with the shift indicator cable and that plastic cable holder is probably cracked also.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 465
Likes: 13
From: Hickory, North Carolina
At the bottom of the column you will find the lever that moves the shift cable, the bolts come loose. They are torx bolts I think #25, remove ONE bolt and use blue Loctite on it then do the other bolt. It's also good to check the shift shaft bushings. The shaft runs down the top of the column and has saddles that hold it in place and plastic bushings that the shaft rides on. You can replace the bushings by just dropping the column. You have to be careful with the shift indicator cable and that plastic cable holder is probably cracked also.
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 465
Likes: 13
From: Hickory, North Carolina
Circling back. The torx bolts you guys referenced were in fact loose. Not much but loose enough. I tightened them and it appears to have fixed the issue. I'll know soon enough when I drive it. I did not drop the column and check the bushings that I saw referenced in a video I watched because I want to see if tightening the screw was the complete fix (I believe it is). I want to thank you guys once again for helping an old man out.
David
David
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