Hi -
I've got an 03 Honda Accord LX with ~120K miles on it. I slowly started having troubles shifting into any lower gears, and now, I can't force the shifter **** into anything other than park, reverse, neutral and 'drive'. This is an automatic transmission.

Doing some research, it sounds like the shifter linkage cable has gone bad.
How difficult is it to replace? I am somewhat mechanically inclined, and have most of the tools I'd need. Willing to learn as well.
Are there other reasons this would happen?
Occasionally, sitting at a light, the transmission will slip over into netural from drive. But this is rare.
Thanks

 

If you've ever had the console apart that might be the more difficult part of the job.

One possibility is the cable coming loose from the bottom of the shifter lever and maybe it simply needs to be adjusted properly and tightened in proper position.

 

Is there any information about how to take the console off? I've never done it myself.
If the cable has come loose from the bottom of the shifter lever, do I need to remove the console to adjust this?

Thanks for your help.

 

Yes there are many videos on how to do it. Search for adjust 03 accord emergency brakes

 

I don't have a shop manual for 7th-gen. This is for 1998-2002 so it's not the same as your car. But I think the rear end of the cable attaches to the shift lever sorta similar. (I hope...)
This is after you use the youtubes to get the trim panels off of the console.

If this is something you want to try, then you should look for a download of the 7th-gen shop manual.

 

Thank you so much!! This is excellent, and very useful. I'll look up how to get the center console opened up. And see if I can search up a 7th gen shop manual.

 

I didn't post the part about replacing the whole cable because your 7th-gen car is completely different at the other end of the cable where it connects to the transmission. That's another excuse for you to find the other manual. I had one, when we owned a 2003 but it was manual transmission so I don't really have firsthand experience with that automatic.