Need some help.
While shifting from D to R (AT console shifter), the trans went to neutral and the console shifter is now moving somewhat freely in the housing and won't engage any gears. As a novice I suspect the cable broke free from the shifter. Shifter does move all the way reward but stops just short of the P position when moving it forward. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Also, any idea on how to remove the shifter nob so that I can pull the cover assembly off?

Bernie

I have an exploded diagram view that might help.

http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy23/Swoop-1/1969firebirdshifter.jpg

Take the button off, should just pull off. Then you need to take the snap ring off from the inside of the shifter knob. Use snap ring pliers (easiest) or a couple of picks (not as easy) and the knob will pull off.

Look at the transmission driver's side and see if the cable came off. I've seen that before. Might be easier fix than pulling the shifter apart. The cable could have came off at the shift point on the transmission or at the bracket. Both are on the driver's side.

Larry and 69 Bird,
Thanks so much for the input. Looks like I have my weekend project cut out for me!

Bernie

also check under the car...some lever might have come loose....
I`d suspect in order, a broken linkeage , like a connection or the cable or whatever holds the cable to either end...

Thanks Bjorn!

Bernie

Here is a video of removing the shifter knob.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Fbodywarehouse1#p/c/B56B6FD3AC0B9420/1/rUPfbOqR4B8

And, you can possibly find out if linkage is broken or the cable , by shifting with the column cover...the console is just a fake column shifter...car still is shifting with column...you can turn the cover to shift...unless linkeage is broken under.

Kurt and Bjorn,

Thanks a bunch for the input. The video is great! Hopefully I will be able to fix this weekend.

Bernie

Still haven't resolved.
Removed console but couldn't diagnose. Here are the issues:
-Console shifter moves too far reward, but stops just short of R position when moving forward
-Tranny stuck in neutral, console shifter won't engage any other gear
-Steering column cover moves clockwise and counter clockwise by hand
-Control arm leading from column inside engine compartment is hanging freely, not connected to tranny (see pic)
-Control arm doesn't appear long enough to engage any type of bracket near tranny
-Console shifter broke when backing out of garage, no parts found on floor
-What's the relationship between the console shifter and column if any?
-Where does the cable leading from the console shifter lead to and what is its function?
-Picture taken from underneath car, drivers side, facing toward front of engine compartment

Here'a a pic of how the shifters attach on a TH400. The cable attaches to the shift lever on the trani and the column lock rod attaches to the same lever on the trani (to lock the steering wheel.)
Sounds like either the shift lever came off the trani, or maybe the cable broke.

Thanks for the pic. That helps.
So is that the lock rod I see attaching to the front side of the lever?

Bernie

Yes it is. It attaches to the bellcrank(?) assembly and then up to the steering column.

Thanks for the help Lee.
A couple of things I noticed. My lever on the trans doesn't appear to be correct because on the front side of the lever, there is no connection point to accept attachment of the rod.
I also disconnected the cable at the lever and I am able to pull the cable, thus I am assuming it must have broke somewhere between the connection point at the lever and in the console.

Anyone have any thoughts on how difficult it is to replace the entire cable (considering I am a novice)?

Thanks!
Bernie

Definitely a broken cable (photo supplied).
Looking for help on replacing the cable. My question is, do I just need the metal wire/cable and do I thread thru the existing sheath? Or do I need to replace the entire cable with the plastic/rubber sheath? I have included a pic of the cable leading into the console shifter assembly and it doesn't appear that I will be able to replace the entire cable assembly with the sheath because the sheath assembly won't fit thru the opening in the shifter assembly (see pic). I have already tried to removed the entire cable assembly, but I can't get it thru the opening in the shifter assembly.
Thanks again for the guidance!

I think you can only buy it as an assembly (core and casing.)
It has been a long time since I put that together, but I think it has to come off the transmission first and feed back up through the hole in the shifter, to come apart (the rubber boot will slip off with the help of a little silicone.) Though I could be wrong on that one.
Lee

Thanks for the guidance Lee.
I was able to remove/disconnect the entire cable assembly (it's a very tight fit through the opening in the console assembly).
Thanks again.

Bernie

No problem. Glad you got it out.
Getting the new one back in will be even more fun!

You have to buy a cable. The linkage to the steering coloum is to place the coloum in park or neutral, to start the car and to take the key out of the ignition. If the car is not in park then you shouldn't be able to take the key out. The key is what locks the steering wheel in 69. The cable isn't too hard to replace. Just thread it thru from the top and route it around the transmission to the bracket. It's easier to have the car on a lift but it can be done on jack stands and laying on your back. I've done it a few times. When you route it make sure it's not rubbing the drive shaft other than that it should be fairly straight forward. The clip holding the shift cable to the tranmission can be removed with a straight slot screwdriver and tapped back in with it also. Just look at how everything is aligned and hook everything back up that way. Good luck. It should take you not more than a hour to do it.

Thanks Larry! I appreciate the help. If I run into any problems, I'll be sure to solicit the valuable help from the forum.

Best,
Bernie

There are two end to the linkage:1 is the switch on top of the steering column.2 is the selector lever on the console.

The shift rod LOOKS to be disconnected from the various doo-hickey levers that attach to the transmission and console.
It appears to still be attached to the column shift lever.

The column is moveable by hand because this rod is what attaches the transmission to the lever that move the switch that is on top of the steering column that is used various backup functions.
Similarly the Trans Selector lever move freely because it is no longer having to drive the column shift lever clap-trap I just described.
see page 146 thru 148 in the http://thefirstgensite.com/library/69assy/69-FirebirdPIM.pdf

I have done this a few times be very careful that you do not inadvertently misalign the the selector with what the column switch is set for e.g. make sure rev and the console selector align to the backup position of the column switch.

The PIM has adjustment procedure that I did not use and that was a BIG mistake

Thanks for the info LarryNewOrleans.
Yes, in looking at the control arm/lockout rod further, the entire portion of the lower lockout rod is missing (lower rod and associated connectors, bell housing, etc.).
I am not sure why, but I think it may have been removed due to the dual exhaust interfering with the lower lockout rod mechanism?

In any event, I'll first tackle the broken shift cable, then I'll eventually tackle the lower lockout rod (I've been driving around without before the shift cable broke).

Best,
Bernie

Alot of times when people took the motor and trans out of the car they never put the rods back in. They have to be taken off to remove the transmission. It doesn't really hurt to have it off. What it does is controls the neutral safety switch. You should be able to start you car in any gear. Also it controls the reverse lights. If you have noticed you probably don't have reverse lights. If you turn the collar on the steering coloum they will probably come on. In 68 the switch for that stuff in on the shifter. In 69 it's on the steering coloum. I don't know if they make the linkage aftermarket or not. I know that it's not alway easy to find the pieces that you are missing. There is a rod that goes to the transmission and that connects to a bellcrank assembly that goes into the subframe. The other rod connects to that bellcrank assembly also. It looks like your headers would probably be in the way, but I'm not sure about that. Hope this helps. Again check your reverse lights. You can still have them by rotating the coloum.

Thanks Larry, that explains a lot.
A year ago I did notice that I didn't have reverse lights. Now I know why!
I have seen several sites that appear to have the lower lockout rod and bell crank, so I may try that at a later date. I think my biggest obstacle will be figuring out exactly where the bell crank mounts to the subframe.
Thanks again for the guidance!

Best,
Bernie

The location of the bellcrank on the subframe is actually pretty easy. It will only go into one location. It's on the inside of the driver's side. When you get the parts, I'm sure someone here could post a picture of where it goes, if they don't when I get back to the states I'll see what I can come up with. Good luck with the cable replacement.

that rod was missing in my car too...bought a used one fromChicago Muscle Car , but all I had to do was to install it, no other missing parts....and then my backups worked again.....never thought of turning the column cover to get them to come on...
but mine is a TH350, so i wasnt sure about the other stuff

It will work with any 69-81 firebird.

Here's a pic of the pivot attached to the side of the frame.

Perfect! Thanks for the help everyone. All of this will come in handy when I get to the lower rod.

Best,
Bernie