Gents......

My shift lever button crumbled into pieces. I'm talking about the top of the shifter where you have to push down a button to change gears. Is it possible to remove the upper part of the shift lever without removing the console? Are parts still available for repairs?

Thanks........

Don

 

Check Ebay for a replacement, or try Amayama for new although availability will be suspect. Never disassembled the shifter on an SC400 but going by other similar shifters the console has to come out because of the O/D wiring and switch.

 

I haven't had a non-gated shifter in quite a while, but as I recall, you can remove the early A/T shifter without removing the console. Just pull/pry down on the plastic shroud at its base and you'll see two screws. Remove those and it should slide right off.

I'm not aware of any way to rebuild the shifters, and ones in good shape are probably pretty expensive nowadays since so few have survived. But, if all you want is a functional button and don't mind ratty or nonexistent leather, there should be plenty available for cheap. I might even still have one stowed away in the garage.

 

Thanks, LeX2K and t2d2. Appreciate the info. After 32 years of ownership (bought it new), I'm thinking it is time to abandon the old girl. At this age, plastic is breaking and I see no end to it. It has only 200K miles and runs like a champ, but the cosmetics and little things to deal with are becoming annoying. But the real problem is....I'm 81 years old.

Somehow.....someway....... I willl get the shifter functuional so a new owner can drive it home.

Again..... your feedback is much appreciated.

Don

 

Thought I would bring closure to this thread. I managed to save the rod that is pushed downward when the cap on the top of the shifter is pushed down. Not sure what this rod engages, but it does make it possible to start the car and to shift gears. Once I got the rod pushed into place, I put industrialo strength glue over the top of the rod and where the original cap fit. So far the glue is holding just fine and the car shifs correctly.

I found the rod and the cap on EBAY. The parts are OEM, new, and they ship directly from Japan. The parts themselves were reasonable (~ $37), but the price for shipment was more ($39). I deferred to try the glue first.

Don

 

Sounds like a new shift **** wouldn't have helped, anyway. Always nice to solve problems with some DIY sleuthing.