4L80E and 4L60E trans column shift cable adjustment

[john8662]

Alright,

I've got this K3500 Dually that's giving me fits. The cable that goes from the column shift lever to the side of the transmission needs to be replaced. I started having problems with the transmission returning to PARK after driving. Checked out the cable (which I already knew was previously rigged) and it's got bailing wire and some stuff wrapped around the plastic that goes through the bracket. I'm assuming that the cable has a broken cable retainer.

Anyways, I've got a new (ouch) shift cable that I'm just going to gut this one and replace it with.

I hear there is an adjustment procedure on this, to get the cable calibrated to where park, and low 1 are supposed to be, to get the right length on the transmission down below.

The adjustment is on the tranmission itself.

Gonna be playing with this in a few hours, but the correct adjustment procedure would be much appreciated for the 1996 or later trucks.

I also hear that the cable is the same for the 4L60E as well. Truck has the 4L80E of course.

Did some searching on the 'net and you'd be surprised how HARD it is to find anything about this procedure that says much. Mostly places trying to tell me that there is no cable for a 4L80E or a 4L60E, and places that'll sell you that perfect TV cable to mount to your carborgasserguzzlerator.

[john8662]

Whew,

That was fun!

Ok, the deal here is that it isn't hard to get right.

The hardest part is getting the old cable out and the new cable in. You gotta unsnap the cable from the transmission. Remove the door opening plastic on the floor, the kick panel (where the hood release is), the driver's seat, hope you have buckets (I did) because otherwise you're doing a bench. pull the carpet up, retrieve the cable, follow it to the column. Remove the lower portion of the colum plastic (two torx screws) then snap the other end of the cable off it's mechanism (not at the top), kind of a heim joint. Remove the secure clip (metal looks like a fence nail), then get the plastic retainers to let go (in a tight spot). Once cable is out, install new on in reverse order as all the other stuff got removed.

Adjustment. Leave the trans in park (verify it's in park on the transmission too), take the key out and make the column locked (locks it in park above). Once underneath, snap the retaining clip in place after taking the tranmission lever just a tad more than it will rest (just the lever on the trans) then push the retaining clip on the cable adjust to lock it in place. Done.

Simple, just the replacement sucks.

Pictures later of the expoxy, injection pump line retainer clip glued rigged old cable. Seriously... I didn't do it, knowing who did, priceless.

[john8662]

http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/photopost/data/540/medium/P1010130b.jpg


Epoxy + Plastic Wire Loom Clip + Metal Injection line retainer clip + Foil + Bailing Wire =

Ultimate redneck transmission shift cable fix when you broke it, plus almost leaves new owner stranded at Walmart at 3:00Am (yes AM) one mornin'.

Now I know where that missing injection line retainer clip and wire loom holder were, geez.