Do I need to adjust my shift cable(s)... and how?

[Bayley]

2000 Boxster S and I'm having some issues with the shifter.

First off, I have no idea if the shifter is original or aftermarket. My gut tells me the previous owner put a different shifter in, as it's got some fancy (blue) anodized billet pieces to it and it feels really short.

Regardless, I'm having some troubles engaging reverse and 5th gear with the shifter. I'm 99% certain that this is related to the cable / shifter. With the cables off the transmission, I can very easily pull the levers into both 5th and reverse with a very resounding "ca-chunk!" When I put the cables back onto the transmission and use the shifter inside the car, the gears are barely engaging.

All of the even number gears feel great and have a very reassuring feel when pulling into gear but 1st and 3rd gears feel mediocre at best. With this being told, I feel that the problem is simply a matter of adjusting the cable that is responsible for the fore-aft movement of the shifter. Has anyone else ever experienced this before?



-Andy