All of the sudden, I can''t get my SW2 5 speed into reverse and the other gears in the stick back position (2nd and 4th) feel different.

I looked at the mechanism with someone shifting and see that the lower cable deflects when trying to go into reverse. I can reach down with a stick and force the tranny into reverse but the cable can''t seem to push it into reverse. I had to replace the cable last year because it broke. It wasn''t easy to go in, but nothing rocket science about it and it has worked fine up until this started suddenly.

Any idea''s?

Thanks,

Tim

Tra757


I''m assuming that you used a Saturn part for the cable. Did you remember to put the clip back down to hold the cable stationary? Also,make sure the cable is free-moving within it''s sheath. Some of the older SW2''s have a problem with the cables rusting ...

The cable came from NAPA and was installed as per the manual. The cable moves and the sheath stays stationary. When attempting to put it into reverse, the top cables has the top lever pushed (towards the transmission) in and is trying to push the lower lever in. The cable isn''t strong enough to push the lever far enough so it deflects as opposed to staying ridged. So either the cable has failed or the lever binds and exceeds the spec on pressure to push it into gear. That last one is my though, which would make the car a good candidate for electric conversion but not so good for transmission repair.

Thoughts?

Tim

The lower shift cable end assembly has failed. The center plastic tube has "popped" out of the outer sheath end.

POS cable.

Tim

Glad you found the problem ....

The "new" cable is what failed?