1998 chevy malibu problem

[little elmer]

Originally Posted by little elmer

Hopefully that's it (you have to buy the handle - retail $28.63); but we sell a few of the shifters also, which include the BTSI solenoid ($166.87).

Originally Posted by needrain

Who is we?

Dealer...

[M3 Mitch]

You don't have to go to your local dealer to have the car fixed, if you don't want to, however. The part can be ordered new from another dealer, there are several big internet-friendly Chevy dealers out there, and then installed by you or your favorite local independent tech.

There is also the option of getting a used part from a junkyard. Sometimes a used part is a better deal in many ways than a rebuilt part - consider an alternator or power steering pump - new or rebuilt you just get the main block of parts, it's up to you to pull your old pulley, etc. off the old unit and put on the new unit, then they will want your old unit as a core. If you get a used alternator from a junkyard, it comes complete, you pay cash, and you can keep your old alternator, which you can have rebuilt at your leisure by your favorite local rebuilder, you can put it on the shelf in case the junkyard part ever fails. This is my usual system, but, the wrench is reasonably strong with me, and I keep cars for a long time.

[little elmer]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

There is also the option of getting a used part from a junkyard. Sometimes a used part is a better deal in many ways than a rebuilt part - consider an alternator or power steering pump - new or rebuilt you just get the main block of parts, it's up to you to pull your old pulley, etc. off the old unit and put on the new unit, then they will want your old unit as a core. If you get a used alternator from a junkyard, it comes complete, you pay cash, and you can keep your old alternator, which you can have rebuilt at your leisure by your favorite local rebuilder, you can put it on the shelf in case the junkyard part ever fails. This is my usual system, but, the wrench is reasonably strong with me, and I keep cars for a long time.

That's of course an option, but you're compromising quality when you do that.

[M3 Mitch]

Well, yeah and no. Depends on the part - putting in a used throwout bearing is pretty much nuts, for example, but on the other hand I bought a used starter for my Camry for $35, "Rat", my man at one of my favorite yards, took care of me, providing a starter that appears to have been rebuilt soon before the untimely demise of the donor car. This is a $135 part at internet pricing, $235 at the local stealer. I can R&R in about 15 minutes.

Another Toyota part that I think makes sense to buy used is a steering knuckle if you need a wheel bearing. I paid less for a whole knuckle with an (apparently) good bearing than the new bearings would be in a box. And while I'm a pretty dedicated DIY guy, pressing that bearing out/in is beyond what I'm set up to do. So I'd have to take the existing knuckle to a shop, meanwhile the Toy is occupying a garage bay, I can't use the car and I can't use that bay, till the shop does the bearing and I re-install. The way I'm doing it, I'll pull the existing knuckle and replace it with the boneyard assembly all in one go. And then if the boneyard assembly growls too (I doubt it, but till I try it I don't know for certain) the car is still movable if not usable and the original knuckle is available to put a new bearing into, if that's how I have to end up fixing the problem.

Getting back to the OP's question, and you are the man to ask, does this shifter fail often? Is it easy or hard to R&R?

Based on the answers to the above questions, maybe a junkyard part makes sense or not.

[little elmer]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

Getting back to the OP's question, and you are the man to ask, does this shifter fail often? Is it easy or hard to R&R?

We've sold 7 in the last two years, so it's not like it's on a campaign level. As far as a labor guide, it's too old for the Service Info site that I have access too (I'm in parts).

[lilysmommy2008]

I have the same problem with my shifter. I have to beat it all different directions before it will budge sometimes. I was just wondering if you figured out what the problem was and what I should do about it.

[JBMallory]

different car, different issue, what are you driving lilysmom?