VUE Shift Linkage Questions... anybody?

[jmatero]

I have a new 2003 VUE with the 5-speed, 200 miles (Just took delivery this weekend) and have some questions about the shifter....

First, my car's shift behavior: The only way to shift into 1st gear is by pulling the lever to the left detent and then pulling it HARDER against the detent and then up into first... and even THEN it's a 50/50 chance of it moving up into first.

Also, there doesn't seem to be much "spring" to move the shifter out of the 5/R area back to the 3/4 area like on most cars... In other words, on every other car I've driven, if the car is in Neutral and you let go of the shifter, it moves to 3/4 position so that you can just pull the lever down from 5 into 4 quickly to downshift.

Now, I have no problem with going to the dealer with this as it may just need adjustment... well, I am a liitle freaked about having the dash disassembled for this as in the past my experience has always been: take the dash apart, get rattles.... HOWEVER... There are a few posts on here about a black Twist/tie strap that is wrapped around the shifter cables where they meet the tranny. A couple of people here reported this is supposed to be removed after the unit is assembled. And honestly, I took a look at it and there is already a device that holds the 2 cables into position so I don't know why the tie is there. In fact, the ti rubs against the upper cable during shifts.

Does anyone here know what this strap is for and if it IS or IS NOT supposed to be there? Does it REALLY cause a shifting problem?

Thanks!

[davuel]

Your description of the location of the "Zip Tie" or "Cable Tie" is the exact same as was on my 5 speed vue. I asked my local to dealer to check another new VUE on the lot, they did not see the tie. I removed my tie. The shifting improved, but has not resolved the difficult time I experience getting into first gear. I've been around and a user of manual transmissions cars and motorcycles from well over 20years. Its pretty clear the cable tie should not be there, but if you have any doubt as to what I'm describing, go back to the dealer.

There has been many a discussion suggesting doubled clutching, shifting into 2nd gear before shifting to 1st gear, these help, but are in my opinion work arounds for what appears to be a manufacture defect or poor design in the transmission.

Hey, I like Saturn, the VUE is my 3rd Saturn product, but I have to say, they have lost control of quality, even the local dealer has fallen a notch so I'm trying another dealer in town.

Hang in there.
Dave

[OhioVueBoy]

Originally posted by jmatero
Now, I have no problem with going to the dealer with this as it may just need adjustment... well, I am a liitle freaked about having the dash disassembled for this as in the past my experience has always been: take the dash apart, get rattles.... Thanks!
Just for general information.. they most likely wouldn't have to take the dash apart. The area around the shifter lifts up with some gentile pressure under the edges. Basically, that entire center console just snaps together. How is the shifting coming - getting any better?
Good luck with it!
~D.J.~

[jmatero]

Hi Ohio....

Well, the 2-3, 3-4, 4-5 and R are smooth. neutral-1 is a crap shoot... most times it just doesn't work and when it DOES you have to PULL the lever HARD to the left and ride it up and PUSH... if it goes in at all. 1-2 is not all that pleasant but not as bad as the shift into 1. In fact, if the 1-shift deal was ok, I wouldn't even bring it back... that's how good the rest of the gears are. It isn't getting better and I'm at almost 300 miles now. The OTHER shifts seem better however. I guess I'll have to take it in. While that area of the dash is open, they can replace that HVAC control head you told me about. That doesn't require a lot of "take apart" does it? Looks like the whole dash center shroud needs to come off.

[OhioVueBoy]

Hehe, it all fits together like legos. I wouldn't worry about rattles... I had to take the shifter surround up to replace my power window switch, and it was easy, and from what I understand, if you have the procedure right, the top panel pops off easily from what I understand. Suprisingly, my VUE only has 1 squeek from the rear cargo area - where that giant styrofoam block rubs my spare tire and squeeks in cold weather. Other than that, and my driver's seat which groans a lot, my VUE is quiet.
~D.J.~

[davuel]

Well my visit to the dealer went well, test drove with the tech. and since the removal of the Zip Tie things have improved. The tech. agrees shifting is stiff going into 1st gear, but also stated it feels no different from other VUE's he has worked on. He also stated that the gear box on the 5 speed VUE is for a small truck and less refined than what is in a car. He said the gear box is very strong and assures us that other thing will break on the VUE before the gearbox will.

Dave

[jmatero]

That's close to the biggest "crock" I've ever heard. The gearbox is for a truck so it's not as refined? This is a Front Wheel Drive (Getrag) tranny.... mated to an engine GM uses only in Car applications (well, until the VUE which you could agrue IS a car-like vehicle) so it is NOT a truck. Also, Getrag transmissions are WORLD FAMOUS for their excellent precise shift quality. HOWEVER, individual manufacturers design the actual shift linkage and you can have the best tranny in the world in your car, but if the linkage is garbage.................

On my car, there is obviously something WRONG with the linkage and I'm not referring to how hard it is to get the car into 1st or 2nd..... if I pull the puppy HARD against the left rail it will shift like butter... but I'm going to cause my center console to come apart. I'm ready to take it apart and adjust it myself. Does the cover just pop off?

[DMK's Vue]

I too have started to notice shifting problems, mostly going into first gear (espically hard when the Vue is cold) . Now I was wondering if others would be willing to chime in on the results of their situations...Did you get the problem resolved?

If so how?

Thanks DMK's Vue

[jmatero]

shifting into 1st and second (as well as other gears) when the tranny is cold is usually a direct result of cold tranny fluid... it's thick when it's cold and that couses everything to move slowly in that thick "mud". Unlike auto tranny fluid, it doesnt warm up by idling the engine (warm up)... the only way to get the fluid "moving" is to drive... but I find after about a mile, everything moves slowly agian. You should also ask you mechanic to adjust the linkage (he/she can call Tenn. to get details on how to do this (my mechanic did). He also removed the black strap around the tranny cables. My tranny shifting is GREAT now... like a different car!!! good luck!!!!!