A quick wash and then 1st gear....and only 1st gear
 

I took my car in today to just spray the ragweed pollen and dust off and put it back in the garage, about 2 miles to the car wash(no not automated). Washed the car and rinsed it off and pulled out into the highway when I pulled from first into second it felt strange and no second....only first.

I pulled over and it was still in first .....then I limped home at 30 mph and 5.5K RPM

I popped off the boot and removed the ashtray compartment to see if a cable had popped off and it has not, both still attached to the shifter. I did not have time to jack the car up and remove the cover....but I seriously hope it is just a cable

The shifter feels like it is not attached to anything, very light and free moving....this ever happen to any of you guys ??

THanks in advance
Dwight

Damn Dwight, you need to get rid of that black cloud over your head
You don't deserve it

I would guess the cable popped off the tyranny
Hopefully the cable did not break.

I just hope the heck it is just a cable, I have had a run of bad luck....have to replace all the rear end bushings in my E36 (daily driver) in the next few weeks too....no more please I cant stand it

Co inki dinky. The loss of everything but 1st and the wash are unconnected. Hopefully as is your stick and transmission. Check the stick, cables and bushings at the transmission. Best of luck!

There's two brackets that hold the cables right behind the passenger rear wheel. Look to see both cables are secured. One popped off at trans or came out of bracket. I'll bet the cable popped off the ball on the shift lever.

They are on the shift lever
 

I popped the boot off and the ashtray compartment and can see the connections there

No, at the trans. The have ball / socket connections under the car.

Thanks folks
 

I looked online and this seems to be a common problem. I was worried about the transmission....even used cables can be had for 50 bucks...first thing tomorrow after work...roll up the sleeves and get out the jack stands

You can just jack up the passenger side and pull that one wheel to get in there.

Pretty sure you can just pick up the clip that holds the cable on.

Are all the cables the same ?
 

Are the 5S and 6S cables the same ?

I just thought I should find out in case I have to purchase a used set

Thanks
Dwight

I found it
 

Pretty sure this is it....any fix except a new cable ?

Looks like you could drill a hole in it and put a pin through it ???

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/t...psphg4saza.jpg

As a temp fix, yes. That's your issue. Maybe JB weld as well. You'll be replacing that anyway.

And crush / crimp it with vise grips?

The cable is broken. Count your blessings and replace it with a new one.

I will have to go with a used one give my current budget...are the 6S and 5S the same....986 and 987 the same ??

Anyone know

That sucks man... just did some quick looking for you. It appears that the shifter cables are different from 986 to 986S and are completely different from 987 so I would suggest finding some specific to your car.

Give me the details on your car year/model and i'll check with my suppliers and see if we can find you a deal somewhere. I'm certain someone is parting one out somewhere!!

I really appreciate it, I have a 2001 S 6 speed of course

Many thanks
Dwight

Tell ya what I would snatch these up - probably the one you found already - 01 Porsche Boxster s 986 Manual Transmission Shifter Cables Shift 98642404107 | eBay

I just bought an engine cover from these folks and got it just as described yesterday~
I don't think you'll find 'em any cheaper~

Those are up for auction and still have 4 days left. Have you checked with Woody? There isn't a ton of pressure on that cable. I like the JB weld + vise grip crimp. That's what I would do if it were my car.
They are only crimped to begin with, so your fix may end up being better than original.

OR...

Better yet, an appropriately sized set screw shaft collar. Drill a hole through one side of the crimp connector for the set screw to pass through, install collar, tighten set screw down to clamp onto cable end.

http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/a...8057C66280.jpg

In looking back at your picture you could fix that cable I guess as it didn't break, just came apart... I would still recommend replacing them, but...

You could drill a hold in the cable end and tap a thread into it and use a screw to pinch the cable into place, like a "cable stay". Or you could crimp it with a small vise too...

The biggest question is how willing are you to get stuck somewhere if the problem happens again? Next time you may not have any gears?

$.02
J

Hmmmm replace as you may have binding upstream that will come and bite you again.....although I would think the cable (nylon??? Or??) Would have gone first. Maybe it was a matter shear fatigue on the cable end vs straight tension on the cable section

Closeup of the culprit ...honestly looks like a bad crimp
 

I pulled the cable end off this afternoon to get a really good look, it really looks like there is almost no crimp at all on this

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/t...pshc40tblf.jpg

I think I am going to try drilling a hole crossways and put a flush 1/8 inch roll pin for the time being....until my replacement cables come in

I fixed it
 

My wife convinced me to write this short story (escapade) about my temporary shift cable fix….if I bore you sorry….but she was in stiches when I told her.
Well as you may know by now I lost everything but 1st gear the other day, limped home in 1st at 5K. Upon inspection I found the shift cable had pulled away from the ball joint that attaches to the shift lever. I looked at it and it slipped back on pretty easy, so I figured “I can fix that”
I put the ball joint in a drill vice and a standard 1/8 inch bit went through like butter, I drilled a straight line through both sides. Picture below

http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/t...ps0isatg2l.jpg

I purchased a package of two 1/8 inch roll pins that were almost 2 inches long, way more than I should have needed…..or so I thought !
I got under the car and put the end back on the cable and gave it a tap or two with my knipex pliers and it popped back in home position. I thought I was pretty smart placing the hole so I had the best access to get a cordless drill in there. I planned on making the pre-drilled holes a guide for the drill bit. But I ran into a snafu, the angle was wrong….but I was committed now, after all Woody had already shipped me a set of replacement cables and this was an exercise in “I can fix that”

I was worried that the shiny polished end of the cable might be too hard to drill through, typically round shiny metal and drilling holes do not go good together….but I digress, the Dewalt bit went through the cable end like……well butter, it was even softer than the ball joint shroud that was crimped around it. But here was the catch, it was at about 20 degrees and missed the hole on the other side completely and made a new hole…not good but it was worthless like it was anyway. Now the fun part starts. I had measured the roll pin and cut it off using the same pneumatic drill vice using a cutoff wheel. It looked great and I grasp it is a set of small needle nosed pliers by the hollow to dress up the cut edge, just as I finished…POP it slipped out and time stopped as I heard 1 distinctive ping as it hit the hard concrete floor and then it obviously slipped into an event horizon of the dreaded “Parts black hole” and never to be seen again. Crap I thought well I still have the other end and another un-cut roll pin. So I cut off the other side and dressed it up and got it perfect and as I turned to leave the drill press area my Mom walked in and the door hit my elbow and ….same black hole ate that one too. OK I took my last roll pin and cut off another one, third time is a charm right. I actually got to the car this time and as I was positioning it to press in one side my phone buzzed in my pocket and I dropped and it fell into the aluminum triangle suspension brace. I tried with a magnet to find it with no luck. So I cut the last piece and dressed it, pressed it halfway from the bottom and dripped some red Loctite from the top and finished the press in and success. I put it all together and the other gears were there and it works fine.
Moral of the story for anyone who wants to do this “Fix” only drill one hole and let the other hole form as you drill through and turn your phone off and lock the door.

Dwight