shift cable broke?

mikeinaustin · #1 (**permalink**) 06-23-2008, 12:40 AM

sorry if this thread belongs in off-topic......

i have a 2002 v6 automatic ford escape.

today when starting his escape, my boy found that the automatic gear shifter does nothing. you put the brake on, and the lever can go to any gear but the transmission actually doesn't do anything (ie it just stays in park).

i think the transmission shift cable has broken or somehow became disconnected. it is being towed to a repair shop in the morning.

how easy or hard is it to repair/replace/reconnect this cable? any estimated cost?

finally, could it be something else? if so, what would be your best guess?

kathyricks · #2 (**permalink**) 06-23-2008, 03:06 AM

Broken shift cables are common on American cars - it's cleverly engineered and planned obsolesence to help motivate the owner into thinking it's time for a new car. Toyotas, by contrast have sturdy shift lever mechanisms that last for decades whether they are column mounted or center console mounted.

Sanosuke · #3 (**permalink**) 06-23-2008, 10:15 AM

Kathyricks,

At least Toyota makes these column shifters that do not actuate the transmission by cable but rather by solenoid contacts!

I broke my column shifter once on my 2003 Tundra back when I had it... and had to end up carefully fidgeting it into neutral so I could have it towed back to the dealership.

Sanosuke!