The following procedure should be followed to obtain an accurate adjustment of the shift control cable. This will supplement the procedure in the following Service Manuals:
1986 Grand AM Service Manual, Page 7Al-l 1986 Oldsmobile Chassis Service Manual, Vol. I, Page 7Al-2 1986 Buick Chassis Service Manual, Vol. 2, Page 7Al-2
1. Place shift lever in neutral.
2. Underhood, use needle nose pliers to remove and discard spring from cable adjuster mechanism. Spring was omitted in later production. Refer to Figure 1.
3. Release tab lock button on cable adjuster.
4. Inside car, position shift lever slightly against neutral gate stop that can be felt prior to engaging reverse.
5. With foot on brake, start car and assure that transaxle is in neutral, if not, turn off engine and shift transaxle lever underhood to neutral position.
6. Underhood, gently center cable in cable adjuster and push lock tab; button to secure cable in adjuster. Refer to Figure 1.
On models with a column shift, inspect shift indicator needle for correctly reading neutral. If necessary, adjust indicator at guide clip on edge of shift bowl to centrally position pointer on N (Neutral) per the applicable 1986 Service Manual, page 3B4-1.
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.