really really frustrated with trans cable!!!

[coreydmc]

Has anyone experienced a frozen transmission cable? This is the cable that goes from the stick shifter to the transmission. I have been through 2 in 1 year. The outside sheathing is pliable but there is a braided cable inside with a coating of plastic around it that keeps getting kinked or distorted. Because of the kinks and distortment the inner cable will not move freely allowing me to shift left or right. I know my stick shifter linkage is fine, and i know my transmission is fine. I have already ruled those out. I think these cable are so old and being oem they are dried and brittle. Is there another source that I can buy one aftermarket that possibly fits another car? Has anyone tried to make this cable themselves? I need help before i set my car on fire!!! I cannot keep spending over $100 on this cable. At first I thought I was running it wrong through the chassis but I dont think so. Does anyone have a pic of their car on a lift so i can see how the cable is routed?

Thanks in advance

[Dangermouse]

Don't know if it is the same type of cable but when I had my autobox cable freeze and break, I got a new length of cable at Home Depot. Brand new, still with the machine oil on it.

[David T]

Before you install cable #3 make sure you have a ground strap and the connections are clean and tight. If current is going to ground through your shift cable it melts the insides.
David Teitelbaum

[coreydmc]

what diagram will show me cable #3?

[DMCMW Dave]

He meant "before you install the third cable"...

I agree - I have replaced one of those cable and it was due to rust. David is correct - if you lose the ground connection to the engine (the large braided cable on the passenger side engine mount) the shift cable becomes the next best ground. If that happens you are melting the cable jacket and it will get sticky.

There is nothing wrong with the NOS cables, they look/act like new and seldom cause issues other than where they rub through the jacket on the hole in the frame.

If in doubt about that braid, it does not hurt to add another large ground cable from the engine/transmission to the frame.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I've gone through my undercarrage and put some hose on locations of cables, wires, and pipes that may contact or rub on anything.

Easy to do, just cut some spare hose, wrap it aroung the pipe, cable etc. and lock it down with tywraps.

[coreydmc]

hmm interesting. i dont think i have the ground cable on the engine mount. i remember seeing it in a box of spare parts that i have. I bet that is my problem than. anyone have pics of ground cable installed and crossgate cable installed under car? I just want to make sure im installing it through correct holes..

[coreydmc]

actually i just looked at the car and i do have the ground cable at the frame and engine mount. maybe im running crossgate cable wrong and it is getting kinked somehow or it is bending to much of an angle. I guess i need a pic of how it goes on before i buy another one

[DMCMW Dave]

actually i just looked at the car and i do have the ground cable at the frame and engine mount. maybe im running crossgate cable wrong and it is getting kinked somehow or it is bending to much of an angle. I guess i need a pic of how it goes on before i buy another one

Like this:

9191

[coreydmc]

thanks for the pics Dave. Im gonna try and run a cable through my casing ns see what happens

[coreydmc]

any other thoughts why it keeps freezing up before i waste my money? based on daves pic i am running the cable through the correct hole in the frame. i dont get it. and yes my i have the ground cable from engine mount to frame.

[DMCMW Dave]

any other thoughts why it keeps freezing up before i waste my money? based on daves pic i am running the cable through the correct hole in the frame. i dont get it. and yes my i have the ground cable from engine mount to frame.

I'd look closely at the one you take out and see if that is really the problem. Disconnect the cable from the trans and see if it is still sticky.

It's possible that the pivot is sticky (the part that the cable attaches to on the trans that moves the lever in and out).

[David T]

Another possibility could be you are bending the cable too much when you are installing it. You cannot overbend the cable without damaging it and there is no need to bend it much anyway. I am assuming all of the other linkage is OK because things must have improved after replacing the cable previously. At least for a while. I would still make sure you are not getting any current through the shift cable. Make sure the braided ground strap is bolted in the correct spots. It is meant to carry the current around the rubber engine mounts so you must make sure it is bolted to the correct points. You also must make sure it is making solid contact and is not being insulated by paint or corrosion. A warning would be if the shift cable gets warm while starting the engine. You can always add an additional ground cable if you suspect a problem. Check that the throttle cable is OK, it also can be damaged by not having a good ground for the motor.
David Teitelbaum

[coreydmc]

yes all my other linkage is ok. I removed the cable from the car and it is frozen, I cannot move the inner cable in and out. I have por 15 on my frame. I will grind it off around my ground contacts to ensure a good contact and see what happens.

[DMCMW Dave]

yes all my other linkage is ok. I removed the cable from the car and it is frozen, I cannot move the inner cable in and out. I have por 15 on my frame. I will grind it off around my ground contacts to ensure a good contact and see what happens.

Check for kinks.

[coreydmc]

i ditched this cable and built a completely new one out of parts from local hardware store and home depot. total cost $8.00 and there is no braided line anymore. I used a 1/8" steel rod. Works perfect!