Shifter Position

[EdR5150]

My car sat for many years, had it's interior trashed, and probably replaced with parts from other cars. Ever since I've owned the car, the auto shifter's Drive position is closer to 2 on the console. Which prompts all my passengers to say "you know you're in 2, right?"

I've driven other auto trans Ds, and I'm jealous of the shifter gliding right into D. I've had my cars console out twice, and can't find any adjustment room. Any suggestions on how to correct this?

[Rich]

Ever since I've owned the car, the auto shifter's Drive position is closer to 2 on the console.

I've driven other auto trans Ds, and I'm jealous of the shifter gliding right into D. I've had my cars console out twice, and can't find any adjustment room. Any suggestions on how to correct this?

Follow these instructions from the factory manual. The linkage adjustment hardware is not directly at the gearshift lever. It's accessed from beneath the car and further back.

You can track the gear selector cable forward from the transmission to find the area of interest.

[Nicholas R]

Careful though, you move it too far and you can loose park. If it's an early vin, sometimes there are issues with being able to get into both park and all the way back to first. Sometimes you get one or the other. Most choose park.

[David T]

It is also possible you will have to adjust the cable inside the transmission where it threads into a nut. It is an adjustment problem and will take some "fetteling" (fitting and adjustment and tinkering). Even the early shifter mechanism can be made to work well. Make sure the detents for the shifter mechanism happen at the same time as the detents in the transmission.
David Teitelbaum

[EdR5150]

Why does the Selector Linkage Adjustment matter? I disconnected the linkage from the bellcrank and started adjusting it, but it seems to have no effect on the where the shifter clicks into place. I think I would only use this procedure if I had problem with my shift points.

So, back to my question. The shifter clicks into place in the housing:

10624

which does not match up with the PRNDL on the console. Is there a way to adjust the angle of the shifter? Is there an adjustment I can make with the position of the housing?

[DMCMW Dave]

Why does the Selector Linkage Adjustment matter? I disconnected the linkage from the bellcrank and started adjusting it, but it seems to have no effect on the where the shifter clicks into place. I think I would only use this procedure if I had problem with my shift points.

So, back to my question. The shifter clicks into place in the housing:

10624

which does not match up with the PRNDL on the console. Is there a way to adjust the angle of the shifter? Is there an adjustment I can make with the position of the housing?

Not really. Assuming that your late VIN car really has the late VIN shifter, you already have the improved design. The early cars were worse! Do you have the one piece shift handle with the ears cast into the handle?

Look on this page:

http://store.delorean.com/c-294-4-6-0-auto-shift-linkage.aspx

You can see the design differences on item #6.

[EdR5150]

I have the later shifter, with ears cast on the lever.

[EdR5150]

Bump. I've got the center console out, so I'm revisiting this. Looking for suggestions before I try to build my own "front panel."

[DMCMW Dave]

Bump. I've got the center console out, so I'm revisiting this. Looking for suggestions before I try to build my own "front panel."

See if you can slide the whole body back on the frame. (Kidding - sort of). I think this is a case of trying to align something that's attached to the frame (shifter) with something that is attached to a relatively non-precision part (the console) and that is what is causing the issue.

The shift linkage should be adjusted so that the detents are correct, then deal with the PRNDL alignment by attempting to move the console or the console plate. Which as you are finding isn't all that easy.

[David T]

Refer back to my previous post #4. The inner cable threads into the linkage inside the transmission. You may have to move that to get the adjustment you need. To get in there you have to drop the oil and the pan. Also make sure the black plastic cover in the gearshift is moving smoothly and not getting jammed. It's the rectangular piece with a round hole in it that moves when you move the gearshift knob. While you are at it you should probably relubricate all of the moving parts in the shift linkage.
David Teitelbaum

[DMCMW Dave]

Refer back to my previous post #4. The inner cable threads into the linkage inside the transmission. You may have to move that to get the adjustment you need. To get in there you have to drop the oil and the pan. .


That only adjusts the relationship between the shifter (and gate) and the transmission. If the console is out of alignment all adjusting will do is frustrate you, as you'll get it to align with the lettering and then miss all the detent gates.

All the adjustment is possible at the lsolid ink rod between the crossover link and the shifter.

The cable end can be adjusted at the transmission but that is not recommended, it should just be screwed on all the way or you are putting excess stress on the threads. This can be done without dropping the pan as long as you don't unscrew the cable all the way in any gear but Park.

[David T]

I agree it should be screwed in all the way but I mention it because maybe it is not and that is why he cannot get the right adjustment. Actually it should be screwed in all the way and unwound 1 turn so there is no torsion stress on the inner cable.
David Teitelbaum