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2003 Mini Cooper S Manual 6 Speed - Thinking that I need a new shifter cable but love to hear what others think. Car drives fine. No grinding or odd noises when shifting but I have no 3rd or 4th gear. I am currently driving 2nd to 5th gear. (obviously don't want to be doing this but do mostly highway driving). When you put it into 3rd gear I would say there is a winding noise and definitely gone. Second part of my question assuming it is the shift cable that needs replaced, do I need to replace both cables or can I just replace Right or Left cable? Also, how do I know which one I need to replace right or left? They are sold with separately and specific to right and left. Appreciate the advice.
Did you check to make sure the cables are still anchored correctly? And it could be the bushing at the connector has failed.
For the transmission side, hard to get to under most of the air inlet piping, and under the shifter lever in the cabin for the other end.
see image (Thanks Pelican Auto Parts)
AS for the cables, you would only have to replace the one that has failed, but some would argue that it is a false economy to replace one without replacing the other, but since cable failures are so rare, I disagree with this view point and say just replace that which is broken. (cables are about $100.00 each)
I was just going to pass on this thread, but that the lost of 3rd and 4th piques my curiosity. It is very strange indeed. Normally with shift cable linkage problem on the Mini the failure typically affect the gears at the end of the travel, longitudinally or laterally but seldom both. 3rd and 4th suggest it is both. Additionally the laterally positions of both these gears are in the middle. While the MCS gearbox has proved to be bulletproof I would not rule out a gearbox problem.
With some out of the box troubleshooting you should be able to ascertain if the cause is one or both of the cables, or worst a gearbox problem. If it were me, I would try to find the 3rd and 4th gear harder first. If that fails I would disconnect the shift cables and try to see if I can get the gearbox into those two gears. The exercise will require some auto-mechanical aptitude.
Of course you can always find out by replacing the cables.
The shifter doesn't feel different and will go into each gear just not engage (winding / spinning noise).
After reading the feed back and after review of both cables have opted for option 1 replacing both cables. (and praying not the gearbox). The seal on the one appears to be very warn and maybe even split, the other not as bad but equally questionable. I will update with my finding and hopefully success.
The shifter doesn't feel different and will go into each gear just not engage (winding / spinning noise).
After reading the feed back and after review of both cables have opted for option 1 replacing both cables. (and praying not the gearbox). The seal on the one appears to be very warn and maybe even split, the other not as bad but equally questionable. I will update with my finding and hopefully success.
If you can feel the distinct notches (detents) in the shifter at 3rd and 4th, I can assure you that your problem lies likely not with either cable as I have remarked. Best of luck.
Does the shifter feel different? If it was disconnected I would think you wouldn’t feel the notch like when it goes in gear.
I have this exact issue.
I lost third/fourth and when I shift, it's as if I don't engage anything. While driving, it will feel and sound as if I've put it into neutral.
I'm getting ready to sell it (2010 r56) as two shops have said transmission needs to be replaced but if they are somehow wrong and it's just cables, that sounds like it could be easier?
