GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Important: 

   • The shift cable is a two piece shift cable.
   • The front half (column end) or rear half (transmission end) of the shift cable can be removed without removing the other end/half of the shift cable.
   • Perform the part of this procedure that applies to the removal of that half of the shift cable.

Removal Procedure

  1. Position the steering column shift lever to the park position.
  2. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  3. Ensure the transmission manual shaft is positioned to mechanical park.

  4. Object Number: 394469  Size: SH
  5. Remove the retainer securing the shift cable to the transmission bracket.
  6. Remove the shift cable terminal shaft end from the transmission shift lever ball stud.
  7. Remove the shift cable from the transmission bracket.
  8. Depress both tangs on the conduit end fitting and push axially toward the rear of the vehicle.


    Object Number: 406359  Size: SH
  9. Locate the center connector on the transmission shift cable.

  10. Object Number: 466176  Size: SH
  11. Pull back the white plastic cover (1) on the center connector.

  12. Object Number: 466195  Size: SH
  13. Pull up on the center tabs of the lock button (2).

  14. Object Number: 471784  Size: SH

    Important: Do not reuse the existing removed E-clip. Discard the removed E-clip.

  15. Remove the E-clip by pulling radially on the center section of the E-clip.
  16. Pull the shift cable center connector ends apart.
  17. Remove the cable half from the vehicle.
  18. Install a NEW E-clip to the shift cable end by pushing the E-clip straight down (radially) onto the cable end.
  19. Position the steering column shift lever to the park position.
  20. Remove the steering column shroud. Refer to the appropriate procedure:
  21. •  Steering Column Trim Covers Replacement - On Vehicle in Steering Wheel and Column - Standard
    •  Steering Column Trim Covers Replacement - On Vehicle in Steering Wheel and Column - Tilt
  22. Peel back the carpet and insulation around the driver's area. Refer to Front Floor Panel Carpet Replacement in Interior Trim.

  23. Object Number: 394465  Size: SH
  24. Remove the retainer securing the shift cable to the steering column.

  25. Object Number: 394464  Size: SH
  26. Remove the shift cable terminal shaft end from the steering column ball stud.
  27. Remove the shift cable conduit end fitting from the steering column bracket.
  28. Depress both tangs on the conduit end fitting and push axially toward the base of the column.


    Object Number: 394467  Size: SH
  29. Remove the bolt securing the shift cable support to the brace.

  30. Object Number: 394466  Size: SH

    Important: Avoid unnecessary twisting/bending of the shift cable when removing the shift cable from the support.

  31. Remove the shift cable from the support.

  32. Object Number: 394468  Size: SH
  33. Remove the shift cable grommet from the floor panel.
  34. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

  35. Object Number: 394470  Size: SH
  36. Remove the two clips on the shift cable from the floor panel reinforcement.

  37. Object Number: 406359  Size: SH
  38. Locate the center connector on the transmission shift cable.

  39. Object Number: 466176  Size: SH
  40. Pull back the white plastic cover (1) on the center connector.

  41. Object Number: 466195  Size: SH
  42. Pull up on the center tabs of the lock button (2).
  43. Disconnect the cable terminal end fitting at the transmission manual shaft ball stud.

  44. Object Number: 471784  Size: SH
  45. Remove the E-clip by pulling radially on the center section of the E-clip.
  46. • Do not reuse the existing removed E-clip.
    • Ensure the removed E-clip is discarded.
    • The new front half (steering column end) of the shift cable will contain a new pre-installed E-clip.
  47. Pull the shift cable center connector ends apart.
  48. Remove the cable half from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure

Important: 

   • The shift cable is a two piece shift cable.
   • The front or rear half of the shift cable can be removed without removing the other half.
   • Perform the installation procedure that applies to the installation of that half of the shift cable.

  1. Position the steering column shift lever to the park position.
  2. Position the transmission manual shaft lever into the mechanical park position.

  3. Object Number: 394470  Size: SH
  4. Install the two clips on the shift cable to the floor panel reinforcement.

  5. Object Number: 394468  Size: SH
  6. Route the shift cable through the hole in the floor panel. Install the shift cable grommet to the floor panel.
  7. Lower the vehicle.

  8. Object Number: 394464  Size: SH
  9. Install the shift cable conduit end fitting to the steering column bracket.
  10. Ensure the tangs fully seat (snap) into the steering column bracket.

  11. Install the shift cable terminal shaft end to the steering column ball stud.

  12. Object Number: 394465  Size: SH
  13. Install the retainer securing the shift cable to the steering column.

  14. Object Number: 394466  Size: SH
  15. Install the shift cable to the support.

  16. Object Number: 394467  Size: SH

    Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  17. Install the bolt securing the shift cable support to the brace.
  18. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

  19. Install the carpet and insulation around the driver's area. Refer to Front Floor Panel Carpet Replacement in Interior Trim.
  20. Install the steering column shroud. Refer to the appropriate procedure:
  21. •  Steering Column Trim Covers Replacement - On Vehicle in Steering Wheel and Column - Standard
    •  Steering Column Trim Covers Replacement - On Vehicle in Steering Wheel and Column - Tilt
  22. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

  23. Object Number: 466215  Size: SH
  24. Grasp the front half (cab end) of the transmission cable (1) in the left hand and the rear half (transmission end) of the transmission cable (2) in the right hand.

  25. Object Number: 466218  Size: SH
  26. Align the outside diameter of cable (2) with the inside of the diameter of cable (1).

  27. Object Number: 466222  Size: SH
  28. Push the end of the shift cable (2) inside the end of shift cable (1) until the blue spring on shift cable (2) is fully compressed.
  29. Pushing together the two ends of the shift cable will engage the inner wire and lock both cable wires together.


    Object Number: 466226  Size: SH

    Important: This step must be performed correctly to avoid a misadjusted cable.

    Do not grasp the shift cable end (2) during this procedure.

  30. Release the shift cable end (2) and allow the blue spring to tension/adjust the shift cable system.
  31. Pull the white cover (3) on the shift cable end (1) back.

  32. Object Number: 466228  Size: SH
  33. Push the natural colored lock button (2) down to engage the locking teeth on the shift cable end (1).

  34. Object Number: 466230  Size: SH
  35. Release the white cover (1).

  36. Object Number: 466234  Size: SH
  37. Verify the white cover (1) conceals the natural colored lock (2).
  38. If the white cover (1) does not conceal the natural colored lock (2), perform steps 26 through 28.
  39. Test the transmission for proper shift operation.
  40. If all of the gear positions cannot be achieved, the shift cable must be readjusted.
  41. Perform steps 26 through 28.


    Object Number: 466176  Size: SH
  42. Pull back the white plastic cover (1) on the center connector.

  43. Object Number: 466195  Size: SH
  44. Pull up on the center tabs of the lock button (2).
  45. Repeat steps 18 through 22.
  46. Important: 

       • Inspect shift lever pin for corrosion and replace if necessary.
       • The shift cable is a two-piece shift cable.
       • The front or rear half of the shift cable can be removed without removing the other half.
       • Perform the installation procedure that applies to the installation of that half of the shift cable.

  47. Position the steering column shift lever to the park position.
  48. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  49. Ensure the transmission manual shaft is positioned to the mechanical park.

  50. Object Number: 394469  Size: SH
  51. Install the shift cable to the transmission bracket.
  52. Install the retainer securing the shift cable to the transmission bracket.
  53. Install the shift cable end to the transmission shift lever ball stud.

  54. Object Number: 466215  Size: SH
  55. Grasp the front half (cab end) of the transmission cable (1) in the left hand and the rear half (transmission end) of the transmission cable (2) in the right hand.

  56. Object Number: 466218  Size: SH
  57. Align the outside diameter of cable (2) with the inside of the diameter of cable (1).

  58. Object Number: 466222  Size: SH
  59. Push the end of the shift cable (2) inside the end of shift cable (1) until the blue spring on shift cable (2) is fully compressed.
  60. Pushing together the two ends of the shift cable will engage the inner wire and lock both cable wires together.


    Object Number: 466226  Size: SH

    Important: 

       • This step must be performed correctly to avoid a misadjusted cable.
       • Do not grasp the shift cable end (2) during this procedure.

  61. Release the shift cable end (2) and allow the blue spring to tension/adjust the shift cable system.
  62. Pull the white cover (3) on the shift cable end (1) back.

  63. Object Number: 466228  Size: SH
  64. Push the natural colored lock button (2) down to engage the locking teeth on the shift cable end (1).

  65. Object Number: 466230  Size: SH
  66. Release the white cover (1).

  67. Object Number: 466234  Size: SH
  68. Verify the white cover (1) conceals the natural colored lock (2).
  69. If the white cover (1) does not conceal the natural colored lock (2), perform steps 19 through 21.
  70. Lower the vehicle.
  71. Test the transmission for proper shift operation.
  72. If all of the gear positions cannot be achieved, the shift cable must be readjusted.
  73. Perform steps 19 through 21.


    Object Number: 466176  Size: SH
  74. Pull back the white plastic cover (1) on the center connector.

  75. Object Number: 466195  Size: SH
  76. Pull up on the center tabs of the lock button (2).
  77. Repeat steps 10 through 14.