P38A Gear selection a little "off", wassup?

[DanClarke]

Hi folks,
I suspect this is a minor issue but could I get a more informed opinion please?
My car sometimes will not start even though the stick is fully forward and locked in the detented "P" position, the LED light for "R" is lit. If I smack the stick with the heel of my hand it then shows "P" and she will start.
Also, it sometimes just will not engage reverse and you have to shuffle back and forth on the stick until it finally does. My thinking is that this is the shift cable adjustment (best case), or, the XYZ switch failing (worst case) rather than a failure of the box itself, as in all other respects it "Auto's" up through box smoothly and beautifully.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[tomcat59alan]

I'd check the adjustment first Dan.,fingers crossed

 

[kermit_rr]

i had a problem where the red dot would stay on R instead of changing to P, had to move it back and forth a few times, but seems to have cleared up.. maybe the connection fairies have been at work

 

[wammers]

Hi folks,
I suspect this is a minor issue but could I get a more informed opinion please?
My car sometimes will not start even though the stick is fully forward and locked in the detented "P" position, the LED light for "R" is lit. If I smack the stick with the heel of my hand it then shows "P" and she will start.
Also, it sometimes just will not engage reverse and you have to shuffle back and forth on the stick until it finally does. My thinking is that this is the shift cable adjustment (best case), or, the XYZ switch failing (worst case) rather than a failure of the box itself, as in all other respects it "Auto's" up through box smoothly and beautifully.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Most probably cable getting a little sticky needs lube. You can always start in N until you sort it.

 

[DanClarke]

Most probably cable getting a little sticky needs lube. You can always start in N until you sort it.

Thanks Tony, I have indeed been putting in in Neutral as an alternative to slapping it with my palm. I shall see if I can fathom out how to lube the cable. Sounds like a centre console-out affair
Never mind.

 

[wammers]

Thanks Tony, I have indeed been putting in in Neutral as an alternative to slapping it with my palm. I shall see if I can fathom out how to lube the cable. Sounds like a centre console-out affair
Never mind.

Would think it's the bottom exposed end that needs lube, if you can get someone to move it along it's travel whilst you spray lube it will get there eventually.

 

[tomcat59alan]

+1^^^ spray and a blast with the airline if you have one to try and force it in as far as possible.

 

[romanrob]

It may well be a physical/ lube issue as mentioned above, or.... possibly xyz switch. What does your dash say for gear selection, in each position? It registers the position by using 3 switch tracks - the different combos correspond to one/ other gear stick position. So if one of those switches goes out then all bets are off, as the BeCM thinks you aren't in P/N. The switch is below the LH ac drain, and if the breather (on earlier models) is missing, then ac condensate drips into the switch and messes it up. If you have that type, then the breather hole is at the top, as mounted, and should have a hose attached running up to the engine bay.
I had a similar problem at the opposite end of the selector ie at 1/2. It never bothered me, being at that end, but when my xyz switch went tits up I changed the switch over, and in the course of replacing it my gear selection issue went away too, as an added bonus. I didn't touch the cable length at all, so then the only other variables were the angle of the xyz switch as it is remounted and the proper functioning of each of the 3 switches

 

[wammers]

It may well be a physical/ lube issue as mentioned above, or.... possibly xyz switch. What does your dash say for gear selection, in each position? It registers the position by using 3 switch tracks - the different combos correspond to one/ other gear stick position. So if one of those switches goes out then all bets are off, as the BeCM thinks you aren't in P/N. The switch is below the LH ac drain, and if the breather (on earlier models) is missing, then ac condensate drips into the switch and messes it up. If you have that type, then the breather hole is at the top, as mounted, and should have a hose attached running up to the engine bay.
I had a similar problem at the opposite end of the selector ie at 1/2. It never bothered me, being at that end, but when my xyz switch went tits up I changed the switch over, and in the course of replacing it my gear selection issue went away too, as an added bonus. I didn't touch the cable length at all, so then the only other variables were the angle of the xyz switch as it is remounted and the proper functioning of each of the 3 switches

When spending your honeymoon night it is far better to try the easiest method first, on the grass on the bank, rather than in the middle of the lake stood up in a canoe.

 

[romanrob]

I hear you, but equally you can waste a lot of time looking at the easier option, rather than looking for the most probable. Lube is free, for sure, but I wdn't advocate adjusting the gear selector cable, for example, before testing/ adjusting the xyz switch. Having to waggle the selector to get the gear sounds like dirty tracks in the xyz switch to me.. Contact cleaner in the breather hole will probably work, else it may need to be opened up and properly cleaned.

 

[kermit_rr]

When spending your honeymoon night it is far better to try the easiest method first, on the grass on the bank, rather than in the middle of the lake stood up in a canoe.

Are you talking about the honeymoon period of p38 ownership?

 

[wammers]

Are you talking about the honeymoon period of p38 ownership?

More to the attempt the easiest method of rectification first rather than the hardest.

 

[DanClarke]

My car has an outstanding recall for the A/C condensate issue, so it could be that I suppose.
I have had "issues" with the gear selection from day 1 (2017) and 12,000 on the clock.
But I do think it is a sticky cable, and all cures will be investigated. Thanks all.

 

[oakey]

+1^^^ spray and a blast with the airline if you have one to try and force it in as far as possible.

I am not sure how to reply

 

[Mark Piercy]

Check the nut and bolt on the end of the cable on the gearbox selector.
I had a client who had the same issue. The bolt had come loose and was flapping like a flapper.

 

[wammers]

I hear you, but equally you can waste a lot of time looking at the easier option, rather than looking for the most probable. Lube is free, for sure, but I wdn't advocate adjusting the gear selector cable, for example, before testing/ adjusting the xyz switch. Having to waggle the selector to get the gear sounds like dirty tracks in the xyz switch to me.. Contact cleaner in the breather hole will probably work, else it may need to be opened up and properly cleaned.

Cable length is adjusted with shaft in park, switch position is adjusted with shaft in neutral. And yes the internals can get contaminated by hardened grease. But you start with the easy fix first.

 

[Salisbury Nick]

Check the nut and bolt on the end of the cable on the gearbox selector.
I had a client who had the same issue. The bolt had come loose and was flapping like a flapper.

"was flapping like a flapper" - that bad eh? Almost as bad Flappy McFlapper winner of the 2018 Mr Flapper competition?

 

[Salisbury Nick]

Check the nut and bolt on the end of the cable on the gearbox selector.
I had a client who had the same issue. The bolt had come loose and was flapping like a flapper.

OK - seriously, my gearbox is also misbehaving a little - how do I get to the flappy thing?

 

[romanrob]

Lie underneath the car - head under the gearbox, and look up on the left hand side. You're going to see this... What are your symptoms?

 

[Mark Piercy]

Lie underneath the car - head under the gearbox, and look up on the left hand side. You're going to see this... What are your symptoms?

Thats the bugger, either the part fixed to the flat on the xyz or the cable itself has slackened off and lost its ideal position.