[stefanrest]

The shifter in the steering column on my automatic 2001 4.7L V8 is giving no resistance (like when it bounces between gears P > R > D etc). It is just sliding up and down.

Has anyone else experienced this and what did the problem end up being? There must be a part that connects the shifter to the transmission (which is fine) but I don't know what it is called and can't find diagrams or the name of the part in parts forums.

Can you help me diagnose this problem or share with me your story of a similar problem and what the solution was?

Any help would be greatly appreciated - thanks.

 

[stefanrest]

I should update everyone to what I did.

I pulled apart the dashboard, and the saw that the linkage attaching the ring at the end of the shifter cable attaching it to the column shifter had come off. Either part were actually broken though, it was the plastic clip that holds the two together. It had dry rotted and just cracked into tiny pieces. I was unable to just buy the plastic clip and the Toyota dealer wanted around $350 to replace the cable (which included a new clip).

I opted to make my own part. I slide the male column shifter part into the female cable and wrapped the outside with a wire. That was 10 months ago and the fix is going strong. The column shifter has a little more play in it than it used to, but it does the job and I know it's not going anywhere.