S won't shift into gear?
 

Hi,

Left my 2001 Boxster S in an underground carpark today, was running fine. Came back 2 hours later and it would not go into any gear. The shifter moves freely but there just seems to be no gears to select.

Don't know what has happened. Seems odd how it can randomly do this? My clutch is on it's way out but I doubt it is anything to do with that..

Any ideas?

Does the shifter move freely without pushing-in the clutch peddle? All gear positions? Does the shifter feel any different?

Yes, it will move freely without engaging the clutch. It is like there is no gears to choose. Really odd..

What you’re describing it seems your linkage cables got disconnected, at the shifter or at the transmission??

Thought it was something like that. How hard is it to remove the center console? I can't seem to find any information/tutorials showing you how to do it.

I have not opened my console but I know other members of this forum have, maybe someone will chime-in.

I would get underneath the vehicle and look at the transmission end of the cables while having a friend move the shifter. There is a great picture on this thread: [url]http://986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28990[url] showing the ends of the cables that connect to the transmission linkage. See if you have movement there or if the cables are disconnected.

After checking again, it seems to go into 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th. Going near the left (1,2,R) is very "loose".

Where is that part located? Think I can get access to it without jacking the car?

I have worked on the linkage only while under the vehicle. You might be able to get to the transmission linkage if you remove the rear passenger side wheel, I'm not sure, but in either case you will have to raise the vehicle.

Ok, bought a jack today and took a look:

http://cl.ly/7MYa/IMG_20110605_124955.jpeg

It seems that the bottom most one is out of place. I tried quickly putting it back in, but it is awkward to get at. Any tips?

Also, Is it as simple as that? The top most one seems to have a loose washer as well. Issue?

the brackets in the picture must be firmly seated and the retaining clip should be in place. Best viewed with wheel removed.

These look good to me, shift to neutral to check alignment, but if they are connected I would not change adjustment. Easy to remove console as all panels pull off easily & ashtray comes out after removing T10 torx screw in bottom. Check pelicanparts.com tech info section for good trans repair pics. ;)

Northing is good here. the bottom outer cable is more than half way out of it's holder and the top one is completely out of the holder. It will not shift unless the outer cable is mounted correctly.

So, I had them put back into place, but while driving today they both came out again, which driving.

I'll have the clutch out next week, so I'll be able to take a better look then.

The retaining clips are easily damaged when removing the tranny cable ends. I'm guessing whoever worked on the car last damaged them and reinstalled the cables without buying and installing new retaining clips.

There are very small detent's in the bracket into which the retaining rings must be inserted, You may have to bend them to hold in place or purchase new ones.

You don't happen to know the part number? I don't see anything on this: http://www.pelicanparts.com/PartsLookup/HTML/986_USA_KATALOG/701-00-Frame6.htm

See if this helps.
http://www.********************************************.com/porsche-parts/986-97-04/701-00.php

986 424 411 00

OEM-98642441100 Retaining clip, mount, cable, for 2 $3.75

Excellent, thank you.

Hello I'm having the same symptoms as OP but when friend checked cables underneath today he said they looked good? I took the car for a short drive and it seemed fine after sitting for 7 months. The cables were not loose at all. Is there any other area I should be looking at? I noticed in another thread someone mention pressure plate but if it was that would it only give problem sometimes or all the time?

by pulling up the shifter boot, you should be able to get an idea if the if there is any problem with the shifter end of the equation. if so pelican parts has a write up on removal of the center console. it may be in their article for the installation of a short throw shifter.

Thanks Rdass623 I'll look into that.

Clutch slave cylinder.

Mike

I had this happen on my 02 S and it was the cable end at the shifter. Removing the center console is not hard IF YOU CAN FIND ALL THE DAMN SCREWS !!! I found all of them except one it drove me nuts. It was the one by the ash tray if I remember correctly. Anyway once the console is out of the way you can clearly see the two shifter cables. Chances are you will see that one of them has fallen off the ball socket of the shifter. That means the end of the cable is worn/broken. But the ends are easily replaced. But before removing the bad end take a Sharpie pen and make reference marks , when installing the new end this will be helpful. Took me about 10 seconds to pop the new one in place and all is well. Make sure to put a little bit of grease inside the cup of the new cable end before popping it onto the ball. Good luck.

Did yours work fine sometimes or did it not shift into gear at all? Mine would go into gear if I worked the gears starting 6th down. Now after sitting 7 months it worked fine but I never went past 2nd as I just wanted to move it back home and not get stuck out. Will look under console this weekend hopefully. Thank you for your help!!

Lets hope it's just end broken on cable if not I'll look into this. Thanks.

Mine worked perfect including driving it to work that morning. Came out of work, started it up and put it into reverse. Backed out of my spot and went to catch first gear and nothing. I was stuck in reverse with a limp shifter ( I hate that ! ). Shifter moved all around with no resistance at all. That's because the cable was no longer hooked up.