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Mazda Tribute Gear Selector

14 messages,  Last post on Jul 07, 2012 at 12:55 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mazda Tribute, Transmission, SUV

    

Messages Page 1 of 2

#1 of 14 Gear Selector by jizzyg

Aug 02, 2006 (1:14 am)

My gear selector on my 01 Mazda tribute won't respond at all. I came home one day, parked it in the driveway, and went out the next morning and the car would start but not shift out of park into any other gear. The gear selector would move down to another gear, but never engage. It was very loose and I don't have a clue what it could be. I thought maybe a loose cable or something inside the steering column but have not ben able to come up with anything. Any advice?

#2 of 14 Re: Gear Selector [jizzyg] by blaishon

Sep 09, 2007 (2:36 pm)

Replying to: jizzyg (Aug 02, 2006 1:14 am)
Don't know if you've got your answer yet, but my boss just had this problem with his wife's '03. There's a plastic link that connects the shift lever cable to the lever that sticks out of the transmission and actually shifts the transmission. That link broke. $85 for the part and a ridiculous amount to replace it. If you're handy at all you can do it yourself. He did and we're both computer geeks.

#3 of 14 Re: Gear Selector [blaishon] by eagle77

Sep 12, 2007 (9:19 am)

Replying to: blaishon (Sep 09, 2007 2:36 pm)
It happen on my 01 Mazda tribute as well it won't respond at all. My wife parked it in the driveway, and went out few hours later and the car would start but not shift out of park into any other gear. The gear selector shows that's in neutral but it won't move at all. Any advice? do you think it could be the same problem that the previous person had?

#4 of 14 Re: Gear Selector [blaishon] by texasmoon

Sep 29, 2008 (11:42 am)

Replying to: blaishon (Sep 09, 2007 2:36 pm)
Blaishon is right. There is a small ring attached to the shift cable that connects over a small rod on the transmission in order to shift. I have an 02, and the first time this ring came off the rod I thought I totally broke the gear shift - it just laid there limp and went up and down freely.
 
If you would like a temporary fix, open your hood and look on the drivers side of the engine. Behind the air filter box, and way way down, there is a small silver rod sticking out of the engine. There is ring dangling next to it with a cable attached. This cable runs up the right side of the engine compartment in into the engine wall (to the shift lever).
 
Slip this ring back over the rod, and you're good to go for a while. For me thats two days to two months depending on luck. If it happens while in gear, it will be quite nerve-racking. Find a friend to hold down the brake pedal, or test your faith in your parking brake.
 
Hope this helps.
 

#5 of 14 Re: Gear Selector [texasmoon] by inkyeyes

Nov 18, 2008 (8:12 pm)

Replying to: texasmoon (Sep 29, 2008 11:42 am)
This same issue is happening to my gf's Tribute. Does anyone know a part Number or a way to fix this problem (more than a temporary fix) ?

#6 of 14 Re: Gear Selector [texasmoon] by jma11

Jun 26, 2009 (11:24 am)

Replying to: texasmoon (Sep 29, 2008 11:42 am)
Here is how I was able to fix this:
 
A:
- Cut a piece of 1/4 in ID Vinyl tubing the length of the shift arm shaft plus 1/2 in.
- Push tubing all the way on to the shaft (its sort of a tight fit).
 
B:
- Push cable end over tubing.
- Mine fit fairly snug and would probably stay in place a long time but to be sure I ...
- Heated end of tubing
- Pushed/threaded in a 3/8 in set screw inside open end of tubing till it bottomed out at end of shaft.
- Installed a tiny hose clamp to lock set screw inside tubing.
 
I will be sure to keep an eye on this but the enlarged end of the tubing will keep the cable end on the shaft, hopefully for a long time. Thanks to Texasmoon for the base sketch.
 

#7 of 14 manual gearbox cable adjustment by dieseltank

Jul 31, 2009 (12:57 am)

Hello,
 
Is it possible to adjust the gearbox shift cables of a manual gearbox? My gearlever can move about 2 cm before shifting, which is a little anoying.
Saw no adjusment option under the gearlever cover; is it on the other end of the cables on the gearbox (noticed som complex plastic devices), or do they need to be renewed?
 
Bert

#8 of 14 Re:Tribute Gear Selector [texasmoon] by jban99

Jul 08, 2010 (12:27 pm)

Replying to: texasmoon (Sep 29, 2008 11:42 am)
Yesterday I parked my Tribute 2002 with 115000 miles, just for a few minutes and when I returned to the car I had the same problem, the gear shift engaged in parking but was flying loose trough the other positions! THANKS TO YOU GUYS AND THIS FORUM, I was able to fix it this morning after I found the loose cable, couldn't see it but I felt it and was able to hook back on the shaft. Now I will just put a clip on the end of the shaft to prevent it from flying out again.
Thanks again,
 
John

#9 of 14 How Do You Get the Shift Cable Out? by 52dodgeman

Jul 09, 2010 (4:30 pm)

I am fixing the gear shift cable (popped off) on our 2003 Tribute LX-V6. I have removed the shift lever/pin assembly and drilled a hole in the pin for a cotter key to keep the cable on. I want to bring the cable end up to check the bushing. Does anyone know how to undo the cable grip that is located just above the shift lever?

#10 of 14 Re: Gear Selector [texasmoon] by jeanie6

Oct 08, 2011 (1:41 pm)

Replying to: texasmoon (Sep 29, 2008 11:42 am)
I am having an aweful time finding this rod and and ring. can you give me any other clues as to what is next or near this rod? Thanks

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