2001 Sierra Shifter Cable is Loose

[2001 GMC Sierra]

Well, I haven't posted since I replaced the rusted/corroded brake lines on my 2001 Sierra SLE. It looks like GM isn't going to recall the 6.2 million affected vehicles until a few more people loose both front and rear brakes simultaneously like I did.

Anyway, I moved the Sierra off the driveway and onto the grass so that I could recoat my driveway last week. The Sierra sat in the grass for four days while I was at the lake. I got home this morning and attempted to move the Sierra back onto the driveway. It started fine, shifted into reverse fine and I backed up close to the road. I stopped and put it into forward, and the shifter just flopped up and down. I stopped the engine (mistake) and it wouldn't restart because it was still in reverse. Had I backed onto the street, the truck would have blocked traffic for at least 1/2 hour until I found the loose/dangling shifter cable. I remember that tow truck drivers pop this off when they're going to tow an unattended vehicle without getting inside the vehicle. So, I pushed the cable back onto the pin in on the transmission lever. It popped out again when I shifted to forward. I tried a few more times and it stayed put while I moved the truck 60' back onto the driveway.

The 1/4" pin on the transmission lever does not protrude through the end of the cable, so I'm wondering if I'm missing something. I'm going to use some duct tape to hold the cable in place until the temperature drops a little. I'm planning on cutting off the pin, drilling a hole in the lever and using a bolt, washers and nylon nut to secure it.

Just curious if anyone has a a better fix for a truck that gets driven 2000 miles or less per year... Ron

 

[Molson02536]

Well, I haven't posted since I replaced the rusted/corroded brake lines on my 2001 Sierra SLE. It looks like GM isn't going to recall the 6.2 million affected vehicles until a few more people loose both front and rear brakes simultaneously like I did.

Anyway, I moved the Sierra off the driveway and onto the grass so that I could recoat my driveway last week. The Sierra sat in the grass for four days while I was at the lake. I got home this morning and attempted to move the Sierra back onto the driveway. It started fine, shifted into reverse fine and I backed up close to the road. I stopped and put it into forward, and the shifter just flopped up and down. I stopped the engine (mistake) and it wouldn't restart because it was still in reverse. Had I backed onto the street, the truck would have blocked traffic for at least 1/2 hour until I found the loose/dangling shifter cable. I remember that tow truck drivers pop this off when they're going to tow an unattended vehicle without getting inside the vehicle. So, I pushed the cable back onto the pin in on the transmission lever. It popped out again when I shifted to forward. I tried a few more times and it stayed put while I moved the truck 60' back onto the driveway.

The 1/4" pin on the transmission lever does not protrude through the end of the cable, so I'm wondering if I'm missing something. I'm going to use some duct tape to hold the cable in place until the temperature drops a little. I'm planning on cutting off the pin, drilling a hole in the lever and using a bolt, washers and nylon nut to secure it.

Just curious if anyone has a a better fix for a truck that gets driven 2000 miles or less per year... Ron

This shifter repair pin works like a charm, i had to do the same repair on my Jimmy a few years ago.

http://www.atfspeed.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21_210&products_id=543

Good luck and keep us posted
Molson02536

 

[2001 GMC Sierra]

Thanks, I saw that link today. Now the question is how does the new pin replace the old pin? Does the lever come off and the old pin get driven out and the new pin get driven in? There weren't any instructions on ATF's site... Ron

 

[Molson02536]

Thanks, I saw that link today. Now the question is how does the new pin replace the old pin? Does the lever come off and the old pin get driven out and the new pin get driven in? There weren't any instructions on ATF's site... Ron

Here is the instructions that you will need and i am sure you can get the job done with in 30 from your guess on how to do the repair.

http://www.atfspeed.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=21_210&products_id=667

Molson02536

 

[2001 GMC Sierra]

Thanks, I missed that link... Ron