22 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHShifter not returning to neutral position
Leading reported evidence
Replace shifter cables
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I had the shifter cables replaced on my '04 911, but now the shifter is NOT "springing back" to the 3-4 neutral position.
Leading evidence: 'Replace shifter cables' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'installation of the cables' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check spring action of the lever' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I know you want to understand the shifter cable operation better, but why don't you just take it back to the place that replaced your shifter cables and tell them to make it right.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
Most likely your issue is with the installation of the cables, but disconnecting the cables and verifying the spring action of the levers would eliminate any internal cause.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Have you disconnect the cables and checked the spring action of the lever on the transmission ??
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Have you disconnect the cables and checked the spring action of the lever on the transmission ??
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I know you want to understand the shifter cable operation better, but why don't you just take it back to the place that replaced your shifter cables and tell them to make it right.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
installation of the cables
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
Most likely your issue is with the installation of the cables, but disconnecting the cables and verifying the spring action of the levers would eliminate any internal cause.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
22 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
2 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
I had the shifter cables replaced on my '04 911, but now the shifter is NOT "springing back" to the 3-4 neutral position. I'm trying to understand the the shifter operation better before contacting the mechanic that did the work. I believe there are springs in the shifter assembly that keep the shifter in the neutral position between 3 & 4th gear, is that correct? The dealer said that they don't sell separate springs, and I'd have to purchase a whole shifter assembly @ $260+. If correct, would it be better to just go to a short shifter; if so, what are your recommendations? I don't track the car anymore, but do other competitive events like autocross. You help is appreciated.
There are no "springs" per se'... The cables themselves act as springs as they are solid 3/16" stainless steel. Most likely the cable(s) has slipped out of it's "holder" either at the console end or at the transmission...** BTW the "dealer" is either a moron or an unethical SOB ! Don't take your car there to get it fixed...
dporto, thanks for your quick response. It makes sense that the spring action is a result of the each spring at the shifter end of the cables. You said that my problem may be the result of the cable ends slipping out of the holder. The holder is the clip that keeps the springs compressed, correct? Because the shifter still allows me to functionally shift gears, but I have to manually move the shifter from the 1-2 gate to the 3-4 gate.
Read again, slowly this time... There are no "springs"... It's the cable itself that "acts" as a spring or in effect a "torsion bar" when it's pushed against laterally. If you take your center console out (or just remove the shift boot by pulling up on shiftball/handle) you'll see what I'm talking about. The clips hold/capture the cables in/to the shifter housing. If one of them slips or breaks there's nothing holding the cable to create the "spring tension"... *** Just to review THERE ARE NO SPRINGS (unless you want to call the cable a spring, which technically it is...
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After verifying that the cables haven't popped out of the ends where the are secured ( both transmission end and shifter end), it could also be that they didn't install the cables into the removable cable ends at the correct depth. For the DIY, you can mark the cables with a sharpie where they meet the ends, and replace the new shifter in the same place. Or you can just pop the ends off the old shifter and pop them onto the replacement shifter to avoid dealing with it. If you want, now that yours is off, you can buy a $5 centering tool that you can use to realign the shifter and cables.
dporto, I think they will need to remove the console. I tried to see my cable ends recently by only removing the shift boot, and it didn't work. The cable ends are further back and not visible through either that opening or the opening where the ashtray/switches sit.
The only springs I know about are in the removable cable ends, and they don't create any spring action, they just prevent the locking collar from opening.
^^ Those would be "spring clips"... not really springs. As for the shift boot - at the very least, you'll be able to see the bottom of the shifter where the cables connect. You'll need to remove the shift boot to remove the console anyway, so it's a good place to start. Thanks for clarifying that
I know you want to understand the shifter cable operation better, but why don't you just take it back to the place that replaced your shifter cables and tell them to make it right. Or do you not trust them to make it right? And why did you have the cables replaced in the first place? They generally are very robust and don't need replacing.
There are no springs in either the shifter or cables. The cables and shifter, if correctly installed, should create a simi-solid direct connection to the transmission levers. The spring loaded action to return to the 3-4 gate is "internal to the transmission".
Most likely your issue is with the installation of the cables, but disconnecting the cables and verifying the spring action of the levers would eliminate any internal cause.
Thanks for the feedback, I have learned a great deal already, appreciate the help. Regarding the questions poised: 1) I plan to return it to the private mechanic that did the original work, but just want to be smarter about the operation of the shifter / cables and how it is suppose to return to the 3-4 gate, mine doesn't after the recent cable replacement. When I first drove it home, I called after a mile and told him it wasn't right, and he gave me an answer that being new, it was just stiff. It has not changed in one month, and I know it is not right, and as a result, not fun to drive.
2) I had to have the cable assembly replaced because the transmission had locked up in 3rd gear while on a recent rally. Turns out that the cables didn't break, but the crimped cap on the transmission end broke apart, resulting in the internals of the assembly coming apart and locking up the cable movement.
Thanks Skip. Tomorrow is mechanic put it up in the air and I’m there recording his finding day.
That sounds like an awesome first step.
All I know is if feels the same now as it did before the 997 and new factory cable swap.
And it gets a little better after about 30 min of driving. So it warms up slowly and finds center like my 17 year old son getting out of bed for school at 6:30 am
And just for kicks he will change the fluid as well. Fingers crossed for a proper fix so I can stop shifting info 2 1/2 coming out of second lol
@Porschetech3
could you please give me the part numbers that I need to change these two areas out. Caps / pins and all. Or maybe link the diagram with part numbers.
We have determined that it is the springs and will be dropping the trans after I get these parts.
After buying the car drove it a few times and this started to happen. Video is the car cold. Seems to get better after driving it but progressed so quickly not sure. Did you solve this issue? I�ll take off the cables on the transmission side and see if moving it by hand to see if it sticks. Hope not and it�s just cables or something up stream. If not need to research more replacing the #5 and #7 springs as mentioned before.
