Gear selector is very, very hard to move
 

Vehicle is an 03 Xterra. Shifting either up or down, to or from and gear, the gear selector is a bear to move. Its my GF vehicle, and it normally takes her two hands to move the damn thing. Only thing I've done is check the fluid since its dark outside, and it has the right amount of fluid.

Aside from these vehicles being complete crap, what could be the issue here?

Just turning the key to on, you can here the relay, or whatever it may be, when you press the break to allow you to shift gears. Whether it is actually working and not frozen, i'm not too sure.

Re: Gear selector is very, very hard to move
 

So this sounds like an automatic transmission?

Re: Gear selector is very, very hard to move
 

its most likley the cable frozen up...either pull the console apart and spray it with brake cleaner...if its had numerous drinks/coffee spilled it will have gummed it all up...open the doors...vent it out...brake cleaner will evaporate then lube it with wd40 and work it back and forth...it should free it up...also check the linkage at the tranny to see if something is bent...you can also disconnect it from the tranny and see if it is indeed the cable...

Re: Gear selector is very, very hard to move
 

x2

Re: Gear selector is very, very hard to move
 

Correct
Thanks, I'll give that a shot this weekend. Much appreciated.

Re: Gear selector is very, very hard to move
 

so, a month later, I haven't torn into it yet, but, her dad did. all he did was disconnect the linkage, determined that it isn't the gear selector, and the brake safety switch is functioning fine (which i'm assuming only prevents the button from being pressed). with his foot down and the linkage disconnected, the selector moves easily. trying to pull on the actual linkage cable is incredibly hard.

He seems to think it is something inside of the transmission. opinions? When its not hot as shit outside i'm still going to take the center console apart and try to clean the cable, she is gone all week so i should have a chance.

Re: Gear selector is very, very hard to move
 

Well you need to disconnect it from the tranny,if it is still stiff then its just the cable...if you can remove one end of the cable you could remove it from its outer casing and clean,lube,grease it back up and slide it back in...




Cliffs
Pull out
Lube
Put back in