Can I replace the gear shift indicator in my 69, without removing the dash? It's a column shift, if that matters. Currently, sometimes when I shift to drive, the indicator shows neutral. When I go to L1, it moves to drive, and when I go to L2, it goes to L1....I'm assuming the problem is in the indicator between Neutral and Drive.


Thanks,

Jerry it sounds like it just needs adjusted. I am not familiar with the 69, but remove the cover under the column and look for a small cable attached with a screw, if you have that loosen the screw and adjust the indicator to read properly.

Thanks for the reply Philip. I'll look at it...I'm not usre if it's just an adjustment though. It shows the correct position for Park, then Reverse, and from Reverse to Nuetral is fine also, but going from Nuetral to Dive, it just stays there, then going from Drive to L1, it moves to the Drive position...and does the same thing on the way "back up" the gears. It appears there is something wrong between the "Nuetral to Drive" position on the indicator.

I hope it's as easy as a cable adjustment.

Thanks again Philip...

Originally posted by jerryr:
It shows the correct position for Park, then Reverse, and from Reverse to Nuetral is fine also, but going from Nuetral to Dive, it just stays there, then going from Drive to L1, it moves to the Drive position...and does the same thing on the way "back up" the gears. It appears there is something wrong between the "Nuetral to Drive" position on the indicator.

I hope it's as easy as a cable adjustment.

Thanks again Philip... It may not be that easy :( .. I once had an experience with a 1968 Impala that did the same thing. It turns out that the cable that moves the needle was cracked in certain spots on the outer sleeve, causing binding on the inner cable. Just to clarify, the cable (at least on an Impala) was a sleeved cable with a plastic outer and the cable was the inner. The car was actually my Grandfathers, and we had to take the dash (instruments) out to get to the cable. WE actually fixed it by using a cable designed for model aircraft! It was the exact same thing (well, almost) and worked fine for many years after that!!

Good Luck, try adjusting it first like Philip said..

The 69 uses a small "thread looking" cable connecting from the steering column sleeve (that rotates when you change gears) to the indicator needle. There is a spring in there also that helps it return to "Park". Sure hope you can adjust it out. The 69 dash/instrument cluster is a bear to get back in place without the bulbs popping out of place.