Stiff Shifter

[Sean486]

I have noticed recently that after not driving the car for a while, the shifter has been getting stiff. After working it back and forth a few times it looses up. I assume something in the cable or mechanism needs to lubed. Can someone point me in the right direction?

[Hocrest]

I'm not positive, but I think something in the cable or mechanism needs lubed...

The ease in doing this depends on if your heat shield was reinstalled the last time your transmission was out. Once you get access to it, spray it just like you would the break cable on a bicycle.

[alia176]

I've never worked on the shifter cable in my car but I'd make sure that the external housing isn't compromised. If there's a crack or a break, moisture from the road maybe getting into the cable housing. You live in PA so the moisture maybe getting frozen inside the cable.

[scoobymal]

Be careful! I ignored mine when it went stiff (was in storage for some months)then it snapped. I got a second hand cable, but was still very stiff, it turned out to be a selector box/unit thing that is bolted onto the side of the gearbox. It had seized up inside, has electrical contacts inside for the display/tcu. Got a second hand one from the same scrap car-problem solved.