Hello everyone I’m new and hoping someone may have experienced an issue I’m having with my beloved 09 LS trim Manual trans HHR. I believe it has the Getrag F23. 190,000 miles on odometer.

The issue is it wouldn’t go or stay in 2nd gear at first and now 4th as well. With the engine off or at idle the shifter locks into and stays in all gears. You can even start in 2nd and it will stay in fine. But if it’s moving above a 1-2 mph it just spits the shifter back into neutral and grinds even if you try to hold it in.

I’ve lubed the shifter and transmission side linkage bits and watched under the hood as someone moved shifter everything work freely, seems to have full travel and no excessive play. I followed procedure to reset shifter cable adjustments using the neutral lock on the shifter. same issue. I’m still driving it 1st, 3rd, 5th and reverse only 100 miles per day.

I’m hoping to find someone that has had shift cable issues or internal shift fork, synchro or detent common problems at this high of Milage? I don’t want to just throw shift cables at it when they don’t seem bound up.

I would honestly appreciate any advice I love this thing and it’s my workhouse so any insight would be highly appreciated.

 

The bushing in this photo appears to be worn out.

https://www.bushingfix.com/chevrolet...e-bushing-kit/

 

to the forums!

Sounds like a problem with the synchros.

Good eye, Oldblue! Is it even attached?

 

You found your problem. That thing is bad.

 

Actually jumping out of gear would not be a synchro problem. That shifter cable end needs fixing.

 

That end had no play when I had a helper work the shifter as I watched it under the hood. as ugly as it is. So ya’ll would suggest putting shifter cables on it and go from there?

 

Have you adjusted it?

 

No I recommend replacing the bushing as in the link I posted

 

I did the cable adjustment procedure where you put the transmission in neutral, release the 2 adjustment locks, lock the shift lever in neutral than lock the 2 adjustment locks. It reoriented the shifter slightly but same issue is still there.

I see the link now sorry I missed it it at first. Looks like a good solution instead of having to replace the whole cable if that bushing wears. It’s not the clearest photo and I it was tight when I had my assistant move the shifter. I also just went out and grabbed both of the white ends by hand and there not bound up but don’t have any play either. This all happened on a zero degree day. And in classic upstate ny for its 45 today so we’ll see how it drives as I’m about to put 100 or more miles on it.

Thanks again everyone for your insight

 

Please let us know if it was just the cold temperatures