Automatic shifter linkage adjustment

[hiram6]

The Bentley doesn't really explain this, or else I'm overlooking it. My 85 Westy has the 3-speed auto transmission. It shifts fine and seems to work fine, but my problem is with the shifter itself.

When it's in PARK, the shifter stalk lines up with the "P" indicator on the console. No problem there. But when I want to back out of my driveway, to engage "REVERSE" my shifter actually lines up with the "N" indicator on the console. (Reverse lights also don't work unless I push the lever towards the front) To engage DRIVE, I have to line it up with the "1" position on the console. So it seems everything is one notch off.

In addition, if I needed to, I don't think I could get the shifter into 1st gear, I can't physically get the shift lever back as far as it would need to be.

I'm thinking that something in the linkage needs to be aligned or adjusted. Anyone ran into this problem before?

Also, a minor issue,the shift button upon the handle vibrates at around 65mph and makes an irratating buzzing sound. Any way to tighten that up?
_________________
1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited

You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning.

[captainpartytime]

My shifter button also vibrates with an irritating tapping! I just thought I was obsessive compulsive about my van! I'm actually working on a solution right now (other than holding the button while I drive) as I have the whole mechanism taken apart. Will post an update if I find anything.
_________________
-Kerry

1982 turbo diesel Westfalia

[hiram6]

Captain, not that we're anal or aything, but that is a pretty annoying buzz generated by that button!!

Anyone have any advice on my bigger issue, that of getting the gear selections to line up correctly??
_________________
1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited

You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning.

[Bcassin]

Hiram6, did you ever solve your bigger problem of lining up the shift points? I’m experiencing a similar issue.

[Marshj]

[vredondo]

Hi there
I'm having the same issue but in my case I need to go all the way down from P to 1st to engage reverse, I tried to adjust the linkage as the Bentley manual suggest at section 37 but that doesn't still let me engage reverse at the right shift position... Any suggestions?

[jlrftype7]

[vredondo]

Hi jlrftype7
Thanks for reply, as you said "are you so off in shifter adjustment that Reverse works way down in 1st" that's my current issue but it didn't happen suddenly, it started first as hiram6 describe in the first post of this thread, now the shifter is so off that I can't engage nothing else than P and R, I do not see anything break or loose in the linkage, so I'm guessing that as you said there must be a worn part, not in the linkage but in the gear box

[jlrftype7]

You can carefully remove the clip that holds the shift cable to the trans linkage.( have a magnet RIGHT next to the clip as you’re removing it so it doesn’t go flying on you)
Then, with the cable now removed off the linkage , you then manually move the trans linkage through all the possible gears and see if all of them feel like they’re getting into each detent as you select them.

If that all went well, you’re back to looking over the rear section of the shift cable. I can take a picture of my spare cable if you need to see how it’s constructed. I’m worried you only have a few strands acting as the cable.
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[vredondo]

Hi guys,
So I find out that the problem is with the lever for the selector cable, is worn and it not moving the lever shaft properly, the solution could be weld the lever with the shaft, but Im not sure how feasible could be find those parts

[Wildthings]

Help us here a bit, is your problem that the "lever for selector cable" if coming apart and has gotten play in it? or is the problem between the "lever for selector cable" and the "operating lever with shift segment for manual valve"?

[vredondo]

Hi Wildthings,
Yes, the lever for selector cable is coming apart and has gotten play in it, if I put the lever in the position P (pushing to the rear as the Bently manual suggest to adjust the linkage section 37.3, fig 4) and then try to push forward looking to engage R the lever is quite loosed and when it's close to the end it somehow it gets less loosed and engages the R, but there is no more space to keep pushing and engaging the rest of gears

[Wildthings]

[Dennis Ku]