Transmission Gear Possition Indicator Stuck on "P"

[Cougo]

My 2001 MGM (100K miles) runs great and has been virtually trouble-free but lately I notice that the shift indicator (or whatever it's called) won't move off of it's "P" park position. The linkage to the transmission is fine. I looked all over and don't see a procedure for repairing this. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thanks! -BA


https://imgur.com/BUfuGGO

[SVT98t]

On the steering column, there's a small plastic bracket and wheel that allows for fine adjustments of the needle. Often, the bracket will crack/break so the needle is stuck in Park, and you have to "count the clicks" to ensure you're in gear.

Fix, is to either find one in the junkyard or buy new somewhere on the internet, but I don't know where.

You'll have to take the steering column cover off, so there should be 4 phillips head screws in the bottom. Then the bottom section of the cover will pop off. Then you'll need to take the key tumbler out. Put the key in and rotate it to "ON" without starting the car. There will be a small pin in the column to depress and the whole tumbler comes out.

***TAKE OFF THE UPPER COVER, PUT THE TUMBLER IN AND THEN YOU CAN TURN OFF THE CAR***

From there, you should find a small copper wire going from the shifter up into the cluster. Along that path is the bracket and the adjustment wheel.

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures right now, but there's probably a few online.

I should probably model and 3D print these as replacements........


-ryan s.

[Cougo]

Thanks a lot Ryan S. I'll start looking for a replacement "Shifter Adjustment Wheel". This excellent write-up should be in a knowledge base. Thanks again. -BA

[87GrandMarq]

I have an extra one for a box if you need one to scan.

[sly]

I have an extra one for a box if you need one to scan.

The ones in whales are different. They don't clamp to the shift shaft at all. Just a cable hooks to a peg that's stood off the shaft a bit. The rest of the cable mounts to the column itself with a small adjustment wheel to adjust the fine position of the needle.

[87GrandMarq]

The ones in whales are different. They don't clamp to the shift shaft at all. Just a cable hooks to a peg that's stood off the shaft a bit. The rest of the cable mounts to the column itself with a small adjustment wheel to adjust the fine position of the needle.

That was directed at svt98t if he was interested in printing replacements for boxes.

[sly]

The problem with printing the box versions is the collar is part of the cable. The aero/whale versions, the cable is actually separate from the adjuster. The nut and adjuster mount are able to be made separately and not fused with the cable. The box collar is fused with the cable shield. If one is separated at that interface, they can be more easily repaired with a printed part, but you'll have to break the cable free, make a properly sized pocket for the cable to sit in and still make the thing fit the shaft right. The Aero/whale version doesn't require all that mess and is more flat surfaces instead of a curved piece. It's amazing how hard it is to make a curved piece of anything in a 3D printer.

[87GrandMarq]

Hmm interesting. I’ve only pulled the steering column on my 09 once to fix the steering column bushing. On the other hand, I’ve pulled my 90 apart a number of times lol.

[SVT98t]

The problem with printing the box versions is the collar is part of the cable. The aero/whale versions, the cable is actually separate from the adjuster. The nut and adjuster mount are able to be made separately and not fused with the cable. The box collar is fused with the cable shield. If one is separated at that interface, they can be more easily repaired with a printed part, but you'll have to break the cable free, make a properly sized pocket for the cable to sit in and still make the thing fit the shaft right. The Aero/whale version doesn't require all that mess and is more flat surfaces instead of a curved piece. It's amazing how hard it is to make a curved piece of anything in a 3D printer.

Can I just make an Aero one fit on a box? What CAD things do I have to do? That seems to be the right way to go. If we can compare box to aero, I'm sure I can come up with some solution.
Curved things are not that difficult with 3d printing. It depends on orientation and supports. That;s the clutch part.


-ryan s.

[WagonMan]

How about making the little arm that breaks off? WagonMan

[sly]

If the 3D software can make a curve, then it's good. The software I use makes a series of flats to make a circle. Makes it rather "8-bit" in appearance. The little arm can definitely be done. I used a L-bracket and shaped it to work and mounted a bolt in the end to grab the cable end when that broke on the 88 I used to have. Bolted that to the shifter and use a radiator clamp to hold it all in place and it was still like that when I sold it. Bet it's still working find today if that car is still on the road.

As for making the aero/whale adjuster work... that would be difficult due to lack of mounting location and lack of threads on the cable itself for the adjuster nut to grab. Replacing with an aero cable might solve that part. But then, finding a spot to mount the thing would be the main issue.