maddox

Hi all, I'm hoping for some advice here. I was driving home the other day and everything was working fine. When I was about to park I shifted into "P" and the shifter just went really scratchy and stiff. I thought it was a bit odd and switched off the engine. Next day the car wouldn't start. The battery is nearly new and has been fully charged so that is not the problem. There is also plenty of trans fluid in the resrvoir etc.

The Gear selection is still very stiff and scratchy and appears to not be working.
I reckon the car is still still in "D" so it won't start.

Any opinions as to what is causing the problem?

Thanks

87 S4 125000 miles.

joejoe

Sounds like the cable is toast. Can you start the car in neutral? It might take some fidgiting to find if the cable is going. To replace is not necessarily difficult, but can be time consuming. BY scratchy is that kinda like ratcheting sound? (that is what my '81 sounded like)

soltino

Be sure you are completely stopped before shifting to park, or else.(-%

tino

heinrich

yes, it won't start in drive.

maddox

Hi thanks for your replies- i'm pretty sure it is the shift cable tah tis knackered. Has anyone been able to replace the cable without having to drop the rear suspension as per the WSM?

Bill Ball

You should not have to drop the rear suspension. The cable runs along the top of the torque tube to the driver (left) side of the tranny. You should be able to pull the new cable from the front after you remove the shifter by attaching it to the old cable. The WSM mentions using a wire attcahed to the old cable, tehn attaching teh new cable to teh wire and pulling it back in. Perhaps that is easier than just attaching the new cable to the old and pulling it through in one trip.

The cable runs under a foam insulator below the shifter hump. That may be why the WSM wants you to drop the tranny and TT a bit, to provide some clearance. I don't think that will be a problem.