im having a problem shifting into gears with my 700r4, if i move the linkage by hand, i can hear the transmission clicking into the gears, but when i connect the lever, it will only stay in the gear that i put it in, no matter what it says on the shifter, what can i do to fix this, i know the transmissions not shot because it worked fine before i pulled it.

 

pull the center console cover and check the other end of the cable, make sure it's still connected.

 

It's the shift cable. I've just replaced my second one in 3 months. They break inside the plastic, down at the tranny end of the cable, and you can't even see it. Use my bad experiences, and order a new one from the dealer, they are $65 (vs. $30 from autozone), but well worth it as they are constructed much better - the GM part has the two plastic housing halves spot welded (well, the plastic equivalent of spot welding) at the seam - I'll not waste my time on an autozone job again.

It's a simple install - just remove from the tranny end, then remove the console top, and remove from the shifter end. Replace the new one on the shifter end first, then attach to the tranny end. There's no adjustment worth mentioning, about 3/8 inch adjustment available on the tranny end - use that space to make sure tranny is ALL the way in park.

One other tip, you'll have to twist the cable some to get it installed - TWIST CLOCKWISE - as the cable inside the housing is twisted clockwise. Twisting counter-clockwise will start to unravel the cable in the housing, which weakens it.

 

i was thinking it could possibly be the part in the transmission that the linkage connects to, theres alot of movement between the gears but they do click into place. i just replaced this part because i broke the nut the holds the linkage on. is theres supposed to be movement between the gears?

 

may be a good idea then to drop the pan and check the linkage inside as well. there should be no play (rotational) between the inside and the outside parts. play in the linkage between clicks is the spring/roller assembly that causes the clicks. check to see if the bolt is tight and curve in the spring is facing into the trans. there should be a tab next to the bolt hole that faces the valve body