Shifting gears with steering column??

[Williams3982]

Anyone know why I can change gears on my 87 GN with the circular steering column area?

 

[TurboDave]

Because it's all mechanically linked to the tranny linkage below.

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

What Dave with the Turbo says. The console shifter has a cable that goes to the transmission, then there is actual linkage (rods & levers) that go from the shift lever on the transmission to the shift stuff in the column. The reason for this is to activate the back up light switch and the P/N portion of the same switch that goes to the ECM. This lets the ECM know if the trans is in D or P/N so that it can adjust the idle speed (likely also tied into the DFCO logic).

The other reason for this linkage is to stop the ignition key from starting the engine unless the shifter is in the P/N locations. This is a mechanical interlock.

GM likely did it this way as many many Regals' were sold with column shifters. So the parts and linkage were already there.

The one down side is that all that monkey motion is hard on the cable part of the shift mechanism. The up side is that when the shift cable does break, you can shift the transmission with the steering collar.

RemoveBeforeFlight

 

[earlbrown]

Because column shifters were first and the PRN switch (and steering wheel lock) is in the column.

 

[Williams3982]

Makes sense just weird because i have to use it to get my car in Park. If i push it up to park on the console it wont go all the way until I move the column area to make it fully engage park

 

[DavidM]

Makes sense just weird because i have to use it to get my car in Park. If i push it up to park on the console it wont go all the way until I move the column area to make it fully engage park

Same here. My shifter cable is broken

 

[earlbrown]

You need to adjust the linkage or your shift cable is in the process of breaking.

 

[Williams3982]

Shift cable is brand new , so probably needs adjusted.

 

[earlbrown]

It defiantly needs adjusted then. When changing the shift cable, it's a balancing act. You have to get the shifter locks, the trans detents, the reverse lights and the wheel lock all synced up with each other.

 

[Williams3982]

Oh lord lol, sounds like another day of cussing lol.

Thanks for the help and the explanation everyone !!

 

[earlbrown]

Odds are all you have to do is loosen the jam bolt where the solid rod meets the bell crank. slide it up about 3/16th and lock it back down.

If that gets the wheel locked and the key coming out (or show's 'park' on your laptop) then move to the reverse lights.

Go into reverse from park and not the lights. Then go into reverse from neutral and not the lights... if they worked in both cases, you're probably good to go. If they don't act right, reach up on the column and shove the switch a couple clicks to whatever side it wants. lather, rinse repeat until they are set.


On my car I had 11 clicks with the lights on. I bisected that and went 5 clicks after they came on with the shifter in reverse. Ended up having to bump it a couple clicks after driving it.

 

[Williams3982]

Nice that doesnt sound bad at all then. Will tackle this soon for sure.

 

[earlbrown]

After you do it once, you'll realize how easy it is.

 

[belsie]

It is a trial & error process and much easier with a helper in the car while u r under adjusting linkage! The cable moves a lot of items that have worn over 27 years. Column is subject to sloppiness making it a challenge.

I am not aware of the clicks on reverse mentioned, could someone elaborate on that also where is reverse switch?

 

[earlbrown]

it's the rainbow shaped white switch on top of the column. It mounts on a ratcheting mechanism that allows it to rotate about the column centerline for adjustments.

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

Some pictures of the reverse-light/P-N switch in this thread:

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/threads/87-regal-neutral-safety-switch.400281/

RemoveBeforeFlight

 

[Williams3982]

Awesome info