200 R4 / Lighting Rod Issues

[rogerb]

Have 2 different issues here and asking for help.

Issue #1 Lighting Rods will on occasion lock in drive and I have a heck of a time to get to neutral/park/reverse. Know that the alignment here is very critical but can't find much info to help. Would be nice if there was someone in my area that is "qualified" to help with this issue and we could get together. Am in the Phoenix AZ area "North West" actually Sun City West. Could the TY cable be part of my problem ?? Or a rebuild for the rods is in order. I am the 4th owner of the car has 70,000 miles on it and I don't think the #2 #3 rod lockout has not been used much.

Issue #2 Have a leak in the 200r4 have had 2-3 different shops work on the leak and none have stopped it. All the normal o-rings / seals have been replaced. First shop actual had the transmission out and he noticed a stain on the bellhousing at the bottom of where the pump is. What would be ideal is a Shop that knows the 200R4 & Lighting rods in my area that could fix both issues. I did see a GM bulletin about a design change where they put a lip on the ?? bellhousing?? where the pump sets into. My wrenching skills are not that great also so am looking for GOOD outside help.

 

[69hurstolds]

88hurstolds may be able to help. PM him and see what he says. He's a guru on rebuilding the LR's. He might even know off the top of his head what your issue is.

And you are correct, you need to ensure you don't have too much slop in the LR's or shifting them becomes problematic. It sounds like it's a LR issue, and not an issue on the trans end. It could be nothing more than a detent pin actuator rod adjustment not allowing the button to fully release the detent pin. Something may have slipped there. I'm just shooting in the dark here as I don't know exactly wtf is going on in your shifters cuz I'm not there. That's where I would start based on your description.

SOUNDS like the transmission front seal is getting blown out. JMO. I could be wrong. Typical issue, and not as uncommon as you may think. The 200-4Rs have drain back holes that can impede drainback and blow out front pump seals. Drilling the holes larger is a common fix for this condition. It would require front pump removal to do all that, however.

 

[88hurstolds]

sounds like you have a busted pin, it needs to be welded and most likely the internal cables are all toast.
I can rebuild them with new cables, weld the pin, polish, shim and adjust properly and they will function better than new (compared to the NOS shifters I have).
PM if interested, turn around time is 2 weeks.

 

[rogerb]

sounds like you have a busted pin, it needs to be welded and most likely the internal cables are all toast.
I can rebuild them with new cables, weld the pin, polish, shim and adjust properly and they will function better than new (compared to the NOS shifters I have).
PM if interested, turn around time is 2 weeks.

Sorry for the late reply I never got any e-mail telling me that I got the reply's. I am interested in a "rebuild" as I am reluctant to take the car out much for fear of having trouble. Where are you located at and what will this set me back. Cables you mention is that the one from shifter to Trany?? Also would have to readjust the cable also and don't have a clue on how this is done correctly.

 

[88hurstolds]

Sorry for the late reply I never got any e-mail telling me that I got the reply's. I am interested in a "rebuild" as I am reluctant to take the car out much for fear of having trouble. Where are you located at and what will this set me back. Cables you mention is that the one from shifter to Trany?? Also would have to readjust the cable also and don't have a clue on how this is done correctly.

Is the shifter out of the car?
Can you send me pictures of the condition or a video of the pins moving to see if any are busted?

 

[rogerb]

Have removed shifter needed to remove drivers seat but need to replace motor link in it anyway. Will get some photos for you and send them in a post. Or should we have a direct E-Mail connection to go further??

 

[rogerb]

Is the shifter out of the car?
Can you send me pictures of the condition or a video of the pins moving to see if any are busted?

Have some photos hope that they are what you want. Will be in a WinZip file. With the shifter out and in a vice I note that when shifting there are some rough spots felt with the shifter button held down letting up on that the it moves free is that any help??

 

[88hurstolds]

Hold the square gate down on each and if the button moves up and down while holding it it will need to be welded. PM me I can rebuild them to function like new. Completely disassemble. new cables, adjust and tweak worn areas etc.

 

[rogerb]

Think I misunderstood your instructions, what I did is just note button travel by holding down the 1/4" square pin. Now second guessing is this what you want to see.

By holding the pin down will I be able to move the shifter button up & down " am I right??"

BTW how does one start a PM message I don't see any way to do so, may be useful in the future.

 

[L92 OLDS]

Think I misunderstood your instructions, what I did is just note button travel by holding down the 1/4" square pin. Now second guessing is this what you want to see.

By holding the pin down will I be able to move the shifter button up & down " am I right??"

BTW how does one start a PM message I don't see any way to do so, may be useful in the future.

Hi Roger, just move your mouse and hover over 88Hurstolds name in blue at the left and then "start a conversation". Sounds like you should call him to work out the details. He is legit and does good work.