Hi everyone. I've done a search on this, but come up empty. Hopefully someone has some ideas.

Back story: I took my kids in my 58 Chevy to the nostalgia drags, about 70 miles each way from home. We made it there and back with no issues. As we neared home, my wife called. She was at the grocery store in the 2008 SS, and it was stuck in reverse (5 speed).

We headed over, and sure enough, something was wrong. The shifter will move forward and back with no resistance, but it will not move side to side. I just backed it down the row out towards the end, and called my buddy with the Tow Truck.

$40 later, and it's in my driveway. I'd assumed it was a problem with the shifter cable. After taking the console apart, now I'm not so sure. The cables are both in place, and attached at both ends. I can shift the levers at the trans side, and that will cause the shifter to move. I can then shift back to neutral, and then it's back to the way it was.

This seems to be a problem with the shifter itself. I drove the car for the first time in a month this morning, with no issues. My drove it, as she does everyday and this happens.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

Well, it turns out the shifter cable broke off about 18" from the end. I've installed the new cable, TWM shifter, and TWM cable clamp. It shifts fine and drives fine with the exception of 5th gear. I spoke with 2 different techs, and they both suggested getting it into the dealer. I have an appointment for next Monday.

 

What happens with 5th gear?

 

make adjustments to the cables if you are having problems going into 5th gear. you have a lot of leway in the front to back and side to side movements but there are some spots where it will prevent the shifter from going in gear...mainly in 5th. just fine tune the cables and you should be good.

 

You can't engage 5th gear either with the shifter, or with the cables disconnected manually at the trans.

 

Thanks for the response. I'll try to mess with it some more to make sure.

 

that seems odd....this may help:

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Service Information
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Document ID: 1961517
#07-07-29-001A: MG3, M86 Manual Transaxle Grinding or Growling Noise in 3rd or 4th Gear, Excessive Engagement or Disengagement Effort While Shifting into 5th or Reverse Gear, Will Not Shift into Either 5th or Reverse - (Apr 16, 2007)

Subject: MG3, M86 Manual Transaxle Grinding or Growling Noise in 3rd or 4th Gear, Excessive Engagement or Disengagement Effort While Shifting into 5th or Reverse Gear, Will Not Shift into Either 5th or Reverse Gear (Replace Complete Output Shaft Assembly)

Models: 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt
2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR
2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit (Canada Only)
2007 Pontiac G5
2003-2007 Saturn ION, VUE
with Getrag™ 5-Speed Manual Transaxle (RPOs MG3, M86)

This bulletin is being updated to add additional information on 5th or reverse gear in the Subject, Condition and Cause sections of this bulletin. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 07-07-29-001 (Section 07 -- Transmission/Transaxle - Manual Transmission).
Condition

Some customers may comment on any or all of the following conditions:
• A grinding or growling noise in 3rd or 4th gear.
• Excessive engagement/disengagement effort while shifting into 5th or reverse gear.
• The vehicle will not shift into either 5th or reverse gear.
Cause

Diagnosis of the concern will lead the technician to replace the 5th/reverse gear synchronizer assembly and/or the 5th/reverse gear blocking rings on the output shaft of the transaxle to correct the condition. In order to access either the synchronizer assembly, the blocking rings, or any other components on the output shaft, the 4th gear must first be removed from the output shaft and then reinstalled after parts have been replaced.

The Service Manual procedure for output shaft assembly states that the 4th gear will install very tight. Some dealers have been unsuccessful in achieving the press loads required to completely seat the 4th gear on the output shaft during re-assembly, resulting in these dealers replacing the entire manual transaxle assembly.
Correction

Important: Some technicians may have trouble when pressing gears on or off the output shaft of the Getrag™ MG3/M86 five-speed manual transaxle. The output shaft gears are not splined to the output shaft and are a very tight press fit.

If diagnosis leads to replacement of any components on the output shaft, dealers should follow published Service Information (SI) procedures and use the appropriate special tools to correctly re-assemble the output shaft.
Pressing Output Shaft Gears

Important: When pressing these gears on or off of the output shaft, care needs to be taken to ensure that the shaft is not nicked or have any burrs on it. (The shaft and gear need to be free of dirt or debris) Extreme care should be taken not to bind or **** the gear on the shaft. If this happens, press the gear back off the shaft and start over.

Press loads can reach 2-3 tons on the 4th fixed gear and 12-17 tons on the 3rd fixed gear (both located on the output shaft). The 3rd and 4th speed gears (on the input shaft) come off with minimal pressure but if trying to remove the 5th fixed gear and the 3rd speed gears at the same time, press loads in excess of 20 tons will not move the gear. Gears need to be removed and installed one at a time.

If dealers are not able to properly seat the 4th gear on the output shaft, a complete output shaft assembly for MG3 and M86 manual transaxles is being released as a field fix and should be used rather than replacing the manual transaxle assembly.

Part numbers for these output shaft assemblies and their applications are listed below:
Parts Information

Part Number


Description

19133215


Output Shaft Assembly, MG3

2003-2007 Saturn VUE

19133216


Output Shaft Assembly, M86

2003-2007 Saturn ION

Output Shaft Assembly, M86

2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt

Output Shaft Assembly, M86

2005-2006 Pontiac Pursuit

Output Shaft Assembly, M86

2007 Pontiac G5

19133217


Output Shaft Assembly, M86

2006-2007 Chevrolet HHR
Warranty Information

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:

Labor Operation


Description


Labor Time

K3155


Shaft and/or Gears, Output Shaft - R&R or Replace


Use Published Labor Operation Time

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.


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The dealer was better at adjusting the cables than I was. It's all fixed and working fine. I really like the feel of the new shifter.

 

haha they can be tempremental glad you got it fixed