Auto Trans shifter quit on me....

[BumperBob]

Alas, my 2003 PT is stranded in Columbus OH, had to leave it when the shifter quit on me. Went to visit my step-son, we went to dinner, and when we left, I tried to shift to get out of the parking space, and nothing. The shifter moves great, it's just not doing anything. Linkage broke, or a cable, I couldn't tell. So step-son drove us home, 100mi away, and is looking into having it towed to a local repair shop, maybe AAMCO. Any idea what I'm looking at?

[quicksilverdon]

Check engine light? If no light, might just be linkage. Remove the air intake (the bottom pulls up) have someone move shift level and watch what happens at the transmission.

[BumperBob]

Nope, no ck engine light. Zero resistance when moving the shifter either. It's at a repair shop, and he's supposed to call me later today to tell me what he found out. Wish I was closer, but I'm stuck up here til Thursday, soonest I can get back down to Columbus to get my baby back!

[thegoldpt]

Keep us up to date, I am curious to see how this turns out.

[BumperBob]

Got some good news from the mechanic, it was just the shift cable, it had popped off the shift lever. He put it back on, but noticed shifting was way too stiff, so he checked out the cable more closely, and saw that it had other problems, and it would need to be replaced.

Story is, that thanks to the proximity of the handy dandy drink holders, there had been occassional spills, that worked their way down, and gummed up the works. I had noticed that on cold mornings this Winter, that the shifter was noticably stiffer than normal, now I know why. Not sure if it was me, wifey, or the previous owner, but we'll be much more careful with a drink near the shifter from now on.

Total cost, $60 for a tow (I'll get $50 back from State Farm) and $176 plus tax for the labor and parts. Probably a couple hundred cheaper than at a dealer. Be very glad to get down to get it on Thursday morning.

So all will be right with the world, once I get my baby back. Wheeeewwwww!


P.S. In a couple of weeks, I hope to be posting pics of a new toy I've been working on for the PT, I think ya'll will like it.

[infernocruisr01]

thats good that it was an easy fix. i know what its like to be with out your ride

[BumperBob]

JUST got home with the PT, couldn't believe it actually came in under his estimate, tax included, $175.07. He showed me the old cable, didn't show any outward signs of a problem, till he tried to move it, it was jammed fairly solid. The new cable is so much smoother than I ever remember, so I'm thinking the problem started before I got it in late 05.

Anyone in the Columbus, OH area ,that needs a reasonable, and, as far as I'm concerned, honest mechanic, check out Ed Simpson at Elite Auto Care, 6751-H Taylor Rd, Blacklick, OH, 614-367-1713 (you'll have to google map it, he's a bit out of the way). He just opened his own shop a year ago, and he doesn't advertize, gets his business strictly by referral from satisfied customers. Just lucky my step-sons girlfriend was a happy client. If I was closer, I'd switch repair shops myself.

Anyway, now, all is well in my PT world again!

[bobs turbo pt]

glad it all worked out ok !!

[MOPAR43]

Thanks, Bumper Bob. Any idea whether this mechanic does exhaust work, like installing duals?

Thanks!

[MOPAR43]

Bob, had to tell you how fascinating your other links are, especially your backyard railroad (my wife asks do you bring much of it in during the winter.....) and the genealogy work that you have done. BTW, are you going to the Immke Classic Show in Dubin in early July?

Fred