Shift Cable: Service and Repair

Selector lever cable, removing and installing, 09G, 6 Speed A/T

Removing
- Check whether a coded radio is installed. If so, obtain anti-theft code.
- Shift selector lever into Tiptronic gate.
- With ignition switched off disconnect battery Ground strap.





- Loosen clamp - 4 - and disconnect intake hose and connector - 1 - from Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor.
- If present, disconnect hose - 5 - from air cleaner housing.
- Unscrew bolts - 2 - and - 3 -, then remove entire air cleaner housing.





- Pry off selector lever cable - 1 - from lever/selector shaft - 3 - e.g. with an open-end wrench - 2 - (10 mm A/F).
- Press catches on support bracket of selector lever cable together (arrows) and pull selector lever cable out of support bracket/transmission.





- Disengage selector lever cable - 1 - from clip (arrow) at transmission.
- Raise vehicle.





- Disconnect front exhaust pipe -A-:
- Remove cross-piece -B- underneath exhaust system.
- Remove protective plates -C- and -D-.





- Unscrew 4 nuts (arrows -A-).
- Then unscrew two bolts (arrows -B-).
- Carefully push cover with protective sleeve forward over selector lever cable, taking care not to damage protective sleeve.





Note: The selector lever - 3 - must be in the Tiptronic gate (arrow - A) before the next step is performed.

- Pry off selector lever cable - 2 - with screwdriver from selector lever - 3 -.
- Pull locking plate - 1 - for selector lever cable on mounting bracket out downward.
- Carefully pull selector lever cable out of mounting bracket.

Installing
Installation is in reverse order. Note the following:
The tightening torques of bolts/nuts and information on whether new bolts/nuts must be installed can be found at (Removing and installing shift mechanism) and (Disassembling and assembling shift mechanism).

Note:
^ Check protective sleeve for damage; the protective sleeve can only be replaced together with the selector lever cable.
^ Check that protective sleeve is seated correctly and do not install it twisted.
^ Do not bend or kink the selector lever cable.





^ Selector lever - 3 - is in the Tiptronic gate (arrow -A-).

- Insert selector lever cable - 2 - in mounting bracket and press on selector lever - 3 - with screwdriver - 4 -.
- Mount new locking plate - 1 - for selector lever cable on mounting bracket.

Installation position:
Angled end of lock washer points toward end of selector lever cable.
- Move selector lever from "P" to "5".

Shift mechanism and selector lever cable must move freely; if necessary replace selector lever cable or service shift mechanism.
- Move selector lever to position "P".
- Screw cover with bonded-on gasket to mounting bracket hand tight.
- Note gasket installation





- Tighten nuts (arrows -A-).
- Then tighten two bolts (arrows -B-).
- Insert protective sleeve of selector lever cable in cover.





- Set lever/selector shaft - 3 - on transmission to "P". Detent lever must engage in parking lock gear, both front wheels are locked (cannot be turned together in one direction).





- Loosen bolt - 2 - at front ball socket of selector lever cable - 1 -.
- Insert selector lever cable in support bracket/transmission and carefully press onto lever/selector shaft. Do not bend lever/selector shaft, otherwise it will no longer be possible to precisely adjust selector mechanism.
- Tighten bolt - 2 -.





- Engage selector lever cable - 1 - in clip (arrow) at transmission. When routing selector lever cable to ATF cooler, maintain a minimum clearance of 5 mm.
- Assemble exhaust system:
- Reconnect Ground strap to battery.
- Check shift mechanism.
- Enter radio code.