Shifter box replacement.

[a2jack]

The replacement shifter box, installed in our car after two lock-up failures, is a different box than the original that came with the car.

The original had a locking sleeve on the shaft just below the knob. The new box has just a solid plastic looking shaft. (Not sure how one would remove knob now.)

The point here is, if you have the old box will it fail?

At least now we can identify which box we have and watch if the change is/was made in later production cars. Ours has a build date of 01-08 and now has 5,100 miles on the Ode.

*** note the change from "steel shaft to plastic. My mistake***

Here's pix of replacement box. A2Jack



Now here is the old box. Note the two tone plastic sleeve.

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by a2jack

The replacement shifter box, installed in our car after two lock-up failures, is a different box than the original that came with the car.

The original had a locking sleeve on the shaft just below the knob. The new box has just the bare steel shaft. (Not sure how one would remove knob now.)

This is the "old" one:


Could you post a picture of the "new" one? Thanks.

[Evilution]

I'd love to know what would happen if you plugged a Euro shifter into a USA car.

[mvukovich]

Originally Posted by JPaul

This is the "old" one:


Could you post a picture of the "new" one? Thanks.

Is that what came in your 2008? Mine only has a slot for two coins.

[JPaul]

mvukovich: because you spend extra for the ragtop, you have less change left. So, they put only two slots, and the top's switch just beside it.
And no, "mine" is still on a ship, at port though.

a2jack: thanks for the picture. Now we (I) know what to look for...

[smartyPantz]

ok am I missing something here? I cannot see a difference....

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by JPaul

mvukovich: because you spend extra for the ragtop, you have less change left. So, they put only two slots, and the top's switch just beside it.
And no, "mine" is still on a ship, at port though.

a2jack: thanks for the picture. Now we (I) know what to look for...

JPaul. Looks like you have the new box. Take another look at my post as I edited it and added the old box to compare. BTW what is the build date on your car ?

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by a2jack

JPaul. Looks like you have the new box. Take another look at my post as I edited it and added the old box to compare. BTW what is the build date on your car ?

Ahhhh... Sorry! I don't have the build date, because I don't have... the car.
It is/was "rolled-off" today in Dundalk (Baltimore Md.). This picture is from the smart.com site. But I think I can see the difference. It's difficult, though, because of the lighting condition. The "old" one seem to have an extra ring/sleeve that the "new" one has lost.

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by smartyPantz

ok am I missing something here? I cannot see a difference....

Try it now. I edited in a pix of the old failed shifter. Note the two tone color of the old shifter sleeve, the gray ring was the piece you turned to release the knob. The new unit's sleeve appears to be one piece and bonded to the ball.

A2Jack.

[robotbill]

After reading this post,I went to look at my shifter which was replaced on 17 APR it now is a solid shaft no plastic sleeve to twist off under the gear shift knob. I know I have the same gear shift knob because I put a small but deliberate knick in the handle. Build date on my car 2/08