Stuck in 4th gearUPDATE w/new ? please help

[Denny]

Ok so I think I have a broken shifter cable. I'm stuck in fourth gear, the trans won't get out of forth. I can only move the shifter up to third, but it feels like nothing is there. It's still in fourth. I can't move the shifter to the left for 1st and 2nd nor can I move to the right for 5th or reverse, I've tried looking for the cables in the engine bay but I can't see them since it's kinda cramped. And I don't have any jackstands on me to go underneath and check the connections out. But I did take out the shifter console top and part of the shifter. I see two cables, there's one on the left that goes to this mechanisim which I think is what lets the shift lever move left and right, I can't push on that cable for the life of me, it's stuck and hard. The second cable that goes directly to the shifter can move (up and down between 3rd and 4th) and whenever I do there's a scratching sound?
Is this just a broken shifter and connection?
Or is it a differential or the trans?
Any experience thanks?

<small>[ March 30, 2002, 06:15 PM: Message edited by: Denny ]</small>

 

[SHOTIME]

its actually a simple fix

there is a small white piece that has come loose on the bottom of your trans

ball and socket joint. check it out.

 

[Denny]

And it's connected to one of those cables correct? If that's all that it is, then do I go to Ford for a new piece or would any store have it?

 

[bensho92]

IF THAT DONT FIX IT, THE IT MIGHT BE BROKEN SYNCHRONIZER, THATS HOS MY ACTED WHEN THE SYNCHRO BROKE.

 

[SilverSHO]

Yep, it's a shifter cable. I had the same problem not long ago. Check the bottom of the shifter, where the cables connect. One of them is probably not on the shifter.

 

[sdpatt]

You have to crawl under the car to see this connection. Please use jackstands.

Scott

 

[Denny]

Nick as far as I can tell, the shifter and the two cables are still connected.
Scott, thanks, and don't worry I will use jackstands, I'll probably go out and buy a set this Friday as well as a nicer jack when my girlfriend has her Escape

 

[Denny]

How do I ask a parts store for what part I'm looking for and any idea how much it'll set me back?

 

[philw349]

Might be dealer only on that one and you could try www.shonutperformance.com or www.fordpartsnetwork.com as well. They could have it couldn't hurt to email them.

 

[Denny]

I just went underneath the car and my cables look(as far as I can tell) fine and feel connected. This thing where the two cables meet up? I don't know what it is but this is best pic I can find. I was able to move this bracket type thing? back and forth a bit and it made a little clicking noise when I moved it back. What is that? And since as far as I can tell that my cable connections are good, what's a possibility for being stuck in 4th gear? Why would the second cable, the one that allows for right and left lever movement be stuck and not let me move?
Thanks in advance

frown

 

[SnickterP]

i've had the same exact thing happen to me, stuck in 2nd actually. but i've got a 92 and it has a rod shifter. the rod actually broke and i had it welded back together. good as new now

 

[olympic]

One cable could have come loose from the shifter itself. I cant remember if you have to remove the whole console or just the shifter boot to get in there though.

The clicking noise when moving the lever on the trans is normal.

 

[Denny]

SnickterP, you actually had the rod break? eek!

Olympic, OK that's good to hear, because it does sound like tranny clicking. But the thing is it only goes back and forth (like my shifter right now). Shouldn't I be able to go left and right as well? (Which my shifter can't go right now)

 

[Denny]

WELL! This explains alot! cable shifters! shoot