1999 S80 2.9L - Frayed Gear Shift Cable

puroak · Post by **puroak** » 26 Sep 2013, 11:55

I've been coping with this problem for a long time and finally decided to fix it with a cable I found in good condition at the junk yard.

The gear shift cable that runs from the shifter (automatic) to the transmission is frayed and the car is difficult to get into gear from park (but it does). If I am on any kind of incline it will not come out of park and needs to be pushed forward while shifting to get it to go.

I've already removed the center console, the area around the shifter, and the air filter box in the engine bay, but it seems more needs to come out in order to get to and pull out the cable. Going to take out the heater controls and radio next..

Does anyone have any advice or maybe instructions from a manual to do this? There is very little room in the engine bay to maneuver a cable in and out...

puroak · Post by **puroak** » 14 Oct 2013, 14:11

Bump can anyone help me out?

puroak · Post by **puroak** » 19 Oct 2013, 11:39

I was able to remove the shifter cable by unbolting it from the firewall but getting it routed out from the inside was impossible. I ended up cutting it where it was frayed in the engine bay and pulled it out easily.

Does anyone know how I'm suppose to re route the new cable back in? It seems like it should go in from the inside out into the engine bay but with the ends on it it looks impossible....

mmustric · Post by **mmustric** » 31 Jul 2015, 21:49

Hi Puroak,
I am about to attempt the same repair and having the exact same issues you describe when on an incline it was indeed the frayed shifter cable. I was wondering if you ever found a solution to this installation? Thanks.

Audie1966 · Post by **Audie1966** » 18 Sep 2015, 20:56

I am just developing this issue as well. I Parked on an incline and was unable to get the S80 into gear witout rocking the car for and aft. It then gave me pains to put it into the gear I wanted even after being on level ground. I am 500 miles from home and hope that it will hold till I can get close to home for me to fix the issue. Any advice?

Audie1966 · Post by **Audie1966** » 23 Sep 2015, 16:13

The cable must be put back in from the interior of the vehicle toward the engine. Is yours a 7mm or 9mm diameter cable? The difference lies in the adjustment after installation.

Audie1966 · Post by **Audie1966** » 10 Oct 2015, 16:36

I replaced the shifter cable on my 1999 S80 today. Job is complete. What a pain. I am in recovery mode for now. I will post pictures of the removal, and notes for the entire procedure. Not for the faint of heart. It WILL take two people to re-install the cable. Send me any questions or after the work suggestions, (i feel all went well, but I have not taken it on the road, just local testing. I hope I have no issues after this job). I had the cable that required calibration after installation.