Automatic Transmission select lever is very awkward

mjhalman · Post by **mjhalman** » 02 Nov 2018, 08:52

Just bought a 2005 XC70 and the automatic transmission select/shift lever is very awkward. I have to pull really hard to get it out of PARK and often the momentum carries it through to NEUTRAL when I want to get REVERSE. (Everything else on the transmission seems to work just fine.) I would love some advise on where to start to try to fix this?

Post by **oragex** » 02 Nov 2018, 10:09

Grease the rod. The type of grease is important for good results try something maybe graphite kind

mjhalman · Post by **mjhalman** » 03 Nov 2018, 08:44

Thank you for the link to the video -I kind of expect that I will need to remove the lever arm to get to this problem.

I don't think I described my issue very well. The problem is that when I go to shift from Park into Reverse, it requires such a tug that most times the gear selector lever/handle goes through to Neutral before I can stop it (I can usually get it back into Reverse without going back into Park but it is difficult)

Are there better/shorter ways of describing my problem so others will understand what I am talking about?

So I am thinking that there is a mechanical issue with the linkage or cables. I hope it isn't in the actual transmission itself. Love to hear advise from people. Thanks in advance.

Post by **oragex** » 03 Nov 2018, 09:19

Oh, this may describe a different issue. The shifter is connected to the brake pedal switch. The pedal must be kept depressed in order to be able to move from P, and I believe there must be an actuator inside the shift unit that is unlocked when the brake pedal is depressed. Start first by making sure the brake lights come on when the pedal is depressed more than 1/2". If this works, I would suspect the actuator inside the shifting unit to have a problem (maybe sticking from an older coffee cup mishap?).

This video talks a little about the brake pedal switch if you need

And of course there may be a linkage problem, the linkage is located on top of the transmission and on few occasions may cause an issue. Maybe also see this issue (less likely for you)

mjhalman · Post by **mjhalman** » 04 Nov 2018, 08:33

Made progress in understanding my awkward gear shift: Took apart the center console and detached the inner cable to the selector - everything feels good so reassembled. Then to check the cables, removed the nut and lever on top of the rod of the gear-shift-position sensor and still everything is very smooth. So the problem appears to be in the linkage INSIDE the top of the AW 55-51SN valve assembly.

What now?

ashlee2319 · Post by **ashlee2319** » 02 Nov 2022, 14:27

mjhalman wrote: ↑04 Nov 2018, 08:33 Made progress in understanding my awkward gear shift: Took apart the center console and detached the inner cable to the selector - everything feels good so reassembled. Then to check the cables, removed the nut and lever on top of the rod of the gear-shift-position sensor and still everything is very smooth. So the problem appears to be in the linkage INSIDE the top of the AW 55-51SN valve assembly.

What now?

Old thread I know, but did you ever figure this out? I am having the same issue x