The shifter cable has gone out on my 99 blazer, automatic (column shift). How difficult is it to replace the cable? Looks cut and dry under the truck, but the cable looks to go into the floor board. Anybody have any experience with this?

Thanks

 

It isn't too difficult. You will have to pull the lower hush panels off the dash to get at the steering column end, but it isn't too bad.

 

You're right Kyle, this was not too difficult at all. For those of you tackling the job, here were my procedures. Sorry, no pics.

-Under the car, snap of the end of the detent cable from the shift lever. A screw driver works nicely.

-There is a U shaped clip that holds the adjuster onto the bracket, connected to the trans pan. Pull that out and cable should be free at this point.

-Up top, remove the sill plate (held by 5 clips) and the kick panel (one clip). Pull the carpet back toward the seat as much as possible.

-remove the lower knee bolster panels (6 or so screws) and move them out of the way. No need to disconnect the E-brake cable. Remove the steel shroud around the column (4 9mm nuts).

-pry the plastic clip off of the accelerator bracket that the shift cable attaches to. There is another U shaped clip similar to the one under that car that holds the cable in its bracket on the column. Remove the clip, pop off the end of the cable with a screw driver.

-run your hand under the carpet and pad to give you some room to allow the cable to move freely along the floor pan. Pull the cable out from under the car.

-install the cable from inside the car through the floor pan. There is a large grommet that holds the cable in the floor. Reverse the procedure to install the cable.

Adjusting the cable.
-Once the cable is installed, but before you connect it to the transmission, put the gear selector in 'P'. On the cable at the trans pan bracket, there is a white plastic clip. Pull the clip down. This allows the cable to be moved forward and back. While the clip is in the down position, attached the end to the detent (make sure it is all the way forward in park. Once the detent is attached, snap the white clip back into place, and you're done. I did use some nylon ties to make sure the cable did not hang down or hit any moving parts. The whole job should take less then an hour. Cost, $100 dealer only item.

 

Could you describe your experience in detail?