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Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:25 pm

SO I just bought a completely redone buggy. Everything was going great until I decided to change the shifter knob!! Who knew that there was a wire attached to the shifter knob that apparently served a purpose. Previouse owner told me to lift squeeze handle on shifter to put car in reverse. Well now the wire , which I'm not sure what exactly sure what it goes to, is disconnected. Hence the car will not go in 1st, 3rd or reverse. I am by no means a mechanic so any and all help is appreciated. What is that wire? Shifter cable? And how do I fix it?? :oops:

Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:41 pm

Just guessing that the wire which really should be a small, stranded steel cable was to pull up the unlock mechanism in the shifter so you could shift into reverse. With the normal bug shifter you push down on the lever from neutral and then to the left to find reverse. Pushing the shift lever down unlocks or unlatches the gate so you can shift into reverse.

I'm assuming that the shifter knob you are removing had a button on it and used that to release the latch to shift into reverse.

This particular feature is especially good for preventing the transmission from abruptly hitting reverse instead of second gear at a very bad time. I'm not sure why you can't hit your other gears unless part of the cable is now wrapped up down in there somewhere.

Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:12 pm

It sounds like you have an Empi shifter. It's a copy of the Hurst shifter from years ago.
That wire connects the reverse lockout lever to the reverse lockout mechanism.
If you know anyone who plays guitar, get a "G" string from them and use it to hook the lever to the mechanism.

If you look at the mechanism, you'll see a thing that looks like a washer on the bottom of the shaft. It goes up and down when you pull that "trigger" at the top.
When you lift the "trigger" it lifts the wire, which lifts the "washer" and it lets the shifter go into reverse.
That washer sort of runs interference against a small metal "ear", until you lift the trigger. Then the washer will pass over the top of the "ear" and you'll find reverse.

Your problem with first and third is that the washer has fallen lower than normal, and it won't let you access the first two gears. Try lifting it a little and you'll be able to get all four gears. Lift it more and you have all four gears and reverse.

That wire fits into a small hole in that trigger near the top of the shifter handle. If you get the length right, you're golden.

Good Luck,

Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:52 am

You are correct that it does appear to be an EMPI shifter. I cannot see how to reattach the 'wire' to the trigger. Also, there is a nylon cover that sits on top of the shifter ball that has been riveted in and I cannot see how to remove it. Any suggestions??

Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:08 am

Not a mechanic? Buy a new one...about $50. Two bolts and 15 minues to remove and re-install. Sell the old one for $10 on ebay.

Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:32 pm

The rivited ball assembly is not the issue.... There should be a lock gate (pivoting bar) that is lifted by cable below ball that is disconnected and IS the issue....

Simplest thing is get replacement shifter, if it broken now any repairs are going to be only temporary....

Trust me, I have two repaired shifters, one in each of my buggies, but I'm stubborn and have more time then brains when to comes to wanting to "FIX" things.. One of these days I'm really going to get stranded some place because of this insanity...

Really recommend this style shifter over the push button ones...

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-3565

But if you really want the "tee" handle...

http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=C12-5596

Yes there are many different sources for different shifters, these two are for example...

Dale

Mon Sep 08, 2008 8:05 pm

I have the bugpack shifter and if you aren't a mechanic you aren't going to be able to make the slight modifications I needed to make to get it to work. Buy better brand name ones for less troublesome installations.

Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:51 pm

Thanks for all the replies!! I ordered a new one from JC Whitney and will attempt to install this weekend. I live in Houston so we are all getting prepared for IKE! Thanks again