Hi all, just wondering if anyone has replaced their tranny gear selection cable. I have a 2003 regular cab sidestep edge. 3.0 litre auto, 5R44E I believe, with 107,000 km on it. I have to recently pull the gear selector a little past it's stop when putting it in Drive. If I don't it will not engage the trans into gear. I tried adjusting/calibrating the cable so to match the gear selector to the transmission activation arm & sensor pin. My local Napa parts guy thinks the cable has stretched over its 20 years and is now not pulling the trans selector on transmission fully into position. I do think this is the problem. Fluid & filter have been changed twice over the years and looks pretty clean. It has always worked flawlessly. Is this a big or nasty job replacing this cable? Thanks for any advice you may have.

 

Your description is not clear

There is the "Gear Indicator" in the cab, just above steering column
Google: How to Adjust Shift Indicator 98-12 Ford Ranger
Watch the video
This is just a visual indicator not related to actual shifting of the transmission

The cable itself can stretch or its attachment under the dash can get loose so you can't put transmission fully into Park or can't shift it to 1, you don't get full Range for shifting
Google: Ford ranger loose column shifter
Lots a videos on this one, was common issue on all Ford trucks not just Rangers

 

Yes, I agree with you about the cable stretch possibility or a loose cable attachment. So when you pull the column gear shift lever straight down to "Drive" it will stop there unless you pull the lever back to you a little then down to 2cnd & 1st gear. Normal operation. I have to now pull the gear shift lever a little past it's Drive stop position in order to set the transmission lever in it's proper position, or indent, so to activate "Drive" gear. If I don't do this now then I have not engaged it into Drive and go nowhere.
I know my post was kind of confusing so I hope this sheds a little more light on the problem. I will get into this diagnosis as soon as I heal up from last weeks hip replacement. Thanks again RonD!

 

First thing I would do is to have a helper in the cab with door open
Key on engine OFF
Foot on the brake, AND at least 1 tire blocked, so vehicle can't roll
Have them shift the column shifter while you watch the other end of the cable to see of there is slack, a delay from when they start moving the shifter to when you see it moving down below
That would indicate "slop" under the dash, i.e. "loose column shifter"

Look at the cable sheath, transmission end and up, then look at it in the engine bay as it curves up and into the firewall, a sheath can split, which, in effect, changes the length of the cable inside

 

Thanks Ron, great advice. Hopefully I can see more of what is happening in it's operation. I'll let you know how I made out and the fix.