Replaced broken shifter cable, transmission still stuck in reverse?

Tiny
DAVEM16
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 GMC ACADIA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 1,223,950 MILES
I drove my vehicle listed above SLT last week and it was fine. I shifted the transmission into park in my driveway, turned it off. My wife wanted to go to the store and the shifter would not budge. Step on the brake, press the shifter and it was stuck in park. I turned the car off, started it and it started beeping and the backup camera came on, now it's stuck in reverse, and I can't get the key out. I looked and saw that the shifter cable was broken, so I replaced it, easy fix. Replacing it was too bad, but it's still stuck, and didn't fix it. I thought that would've fixed the problem but it's still not working. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I really don't want to take it to the dealership. Thank you in advance for your help.
Friday, September 23rd, 2022 AT 5:43 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

There are two cables on this vehicle. What I suggest is this. Have a helper shift through the gears vehicle you watch at the transmission to see if the cable is moving the shift lever on the transmission.

There is a cable bracket that may have broken, or the cable may have come out of the mount. Check that as well. See pic 2.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pics below.
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Friday, September 23rd, 2022 AT 10:49 PM
Tiny
DAVEM16
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Hello, thank you for your reply. I replaced the shifter cable, which was broken, it was pretty simple to do. But now, it still doesn't shift, it's stuck in reverse. I can move the gears manually in the engine, where the cable hooks up too. I can put it in park, start the car and then shift it to R, N, D L and go back to park slowly. When I do that, it doesn't recognize park, it stays in Reverse. The shifter is in park but on the instrument panel it says R and the backup camera is on, and then I cannot move it to any gear, just stuck in R. It's crazy I hope that makes sense, thank you for all your help.
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Monday, September 26th, 2022 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

It sounds like it simply needs to be adjusted. If you look below, I attached the directions for adjusting the cable. Take a look through it and let me know if you have questions and are comfortable performing the procedure.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Monday, September 26th, 2022 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
DAVEM16
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
Hello, the adjustment you recommended work like a charm. The adjustment was easy, it only took about 15 minutes. Thank you for all your help, you saved me a ton of money, now I don't have to take it to the dealer. I appreciate all your help, thank you!
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Tuesday, September 27th, 2022 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,127 POSTS
Hi,

You are very welcome and thank you for the update. I'm glad to know it was helpful.

Please feel free to come back anytime in the future if you have questions. You are always welcome here.

Take good care of yourself,

Joe
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Wednesday, September 28th, 2022 AT 4:57 PM

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