Shift linkage issue

Vtguy · November 27, 2017

To start, I have a 2002 2500hd 6.0 4l80e 4x4.

i can't shift down to 1 on the lever. I've been messing with it for over a week, still no luck.

so far I've changed the shift cable, shift control mechanism on the column, and the arm that attached to the trans. None of these solved anything.

my next step is to change out the black box the arm attaches to on the trans, I believe it's called the safety neutral switch.

Does anybody have any insight for me?

davester · November 28, 2017

Is it a mechanical problem, in that you physically can't move the shift lever to "1" or is it when you move the shift lever to 1, it's not in 1?

And all the rest of the gears seem to work fine?

Vtguy · November 28, 2017

At the trans it can be shifted into 1, but not using the lever on the column.

the other gears are there, it's just not quite enough to catch 1 from the lever.

davester · November 28, 2017

So if you can manually shift the lever on the transmission to 1, but the shift lever doesn't, then the problem would be before the transmission.

Maybe disconnect the shift cable at the steering wheel, and see if the shift lever can go into 1 properly. If it does, then there's a problem with the shift cable (not adjusted correctly at the split point?), if it doesn't, then something is wrong with the shift lever/steering column.

Vtguy · November 28, 2017

Can't seem to get enough adjustment out of the cable to get it to snug up.

have replaced everything so far.

is this piece adjustable? The shift assembly mechanism??

davester · November 29, 2017

My understanding is that the only spot that is adjustable is the midpoint of the shift cable, where the two halves of it join together.

Is that joint at either extreme (just barely connected or really close together)?

Kojack 96 · February 21, 2020

I know this is an old thread, but it's current to my issue. I am having a similar issue with a 2001 Silverado LT 1500. I can either get 1st, or park. But not both. I have adjusted the "mid point" thread by thread. Am I doing something wrong or missing something? Have installed new cables and new column shift mechanism.

Treyleh3 · March 29, 2020

I see this is old. But returning from a beer run I bwck into my spot no problem. I than go to put my 2003 gmc duramax into park and it won’t go. So like any well minded person I slam it down and slam it up lol. Now it won’t go into reverse.

PaulFV · October 2, 2021

My issue is not being able to shift from any drive gears to park and remove the key after shutting off the engine. I was able to force the lever up and down until it went into park. Worried if I got back in driving again it would lock up again. Any thoughts about how to adjust or fix the problem? Help !!