Service Procedure
The following procedure provides instructions for inspecting, and if necessary, replacing the automatic transmission gear shift cable.Inspection
1. Open the driver's door.
2. Gently pull the hinge pillar trim panel to release the retaining clips.
3. Pull the driver's side carpet down and rearward to expose the floor pan, transmission, and shift cable (1).
4. Locate the date code (1) printed on the shift cable as shown. The code follows a part number also printed on the cable.
^ If the cable has a date code that is 4129 through 4139, the cable MUST be replaced. Proceed to the section titled Shift Cable Replacement.
^ If the cable has a date code before 4129 or after 4139, the cable does NOT need to be replaced and no further action is required. Reinstall the carpet and hinge pillar trim panel.
Shift Cable Replacement
1. Remove the "AIR BAG fuse from the fuse block.
2. Remove the two screws (2), release the six retaining clips, and remove the driver's side knee bolster trim panel (1).
3. Remove the four nuts (2) for the driver's knee bolster (1).
4. If equipped, remove the OnStar module bracket screws and reposition the module.
5. Remove the driver's knee bolster.
6. Pull the cable off the ball stud on the column lever.
7. Remove the clip and squeeze the two tabs inward and remove the cable from the bracket on the column.
8. Release the cable retainer from the floor pan.
9. Release the cable grommet from the floor pan and push the complete cable through the opening in the floor.
10. Raise the vehicle on a suitable hoist and support as necessary.
11. Move the lever on the side of the transmission to a low gear.
12. Pull (slide) the white cover (2) on the shift cable back to expose the natural colored lock (1).
13. While holding the white cover (2) back, place a small flat-bladed screwdriver under the lock ramp located at the top of the lock (1) and pry the lock up.
14. Turn the adjuster so that you can see the threaded section (1) of the lower cable inside the adjuster.
15. Pull the threaded section of the lower cable out of the upper cable. The inner lower cable will not disengage at this point.
Important
The illustration above shows the clip being removed in the next step and is for reference purpose only.
16. Once the threaded section of the lower cable has been pulled out, you should see the small metal clip (1) that attaches the inner cables (2) together. While holding the white cover back and using a pair of long-nose pliers (3), grasp and pull off the small metal clip through the opening in the cable connector and discard the clip.
17. Separate the upper cable from the lower cable and remove the upper cable from the vehicle.
18. From under the vehicle, push the new cable up through the opening in the floor.
19. Slide the cover back and pry the lock up the same way as was done on the original cable a few steps earlier.
Important
Do not remove the small metal clip from the NEW cable.
20. Connect the lower inner metal cable to the upper inner metal cable. When properly engaged, the small metal clip will be locked in the groove in the lower inner metal cable and you should not be able to separate the cables at this time.
DO NOT ADJUST THE CABLE AT THIS TIME.
21. Move the transmission lever to the PARK position.
22. Lower the vehicle.
23. Route the cable, attach the retainer to the floor pan, and install the grommet.
24. Position the cable and engage the plastic spring clips in the column bracket. Install the retaining clip.
25. Attach the cable to the ball stud on the column lever.
26. Verify that the shift lever is still in PARK.
27. Raise the vehicle.
28. With both the shift lever and the transmission in PARK, push the threaded section of the lower cable inside of the upper cable as far as it will go (the blue spring will be fully compressed) and then release it. The cable should spring back and be adjusted at this point.
29. Press the lock downward to engage and lock the threads of the lower cable in place.
Important
If the white cover does not conceal the lock, the shift cable must be readjusted. If all the gear positions cannot be achieved, the shift cable must be re-adjusted.
30. Release the white cover. If the lock is fully seated, the white cover should slide completely over the lock when released.
31. Lower the vehicle.
32. Verify proper operation of the shift cable.
33. Install the driver's knee bolster.
Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 10 Nm (88 lb in).
34. If equipped, install the OnStar module bracket screws.
Tighten
Tighten the screws to 3 Nm (27 lb in).
35. Install the driver's side knee bolster trim panel, engage the six retaining clips and install the two screws.
Tighten
Tighten the screws to 3.5 Nm (31 lb in).
36. Reposition the carpet.
37. Position the hinge pillar panel to the body and engage the retaining clips.
38. Install the AIR BAG fuse.