2003-2008 Vibe / Matrix Automatic Trans Shifter Cable Bushing Location

[shrout1]

Recently my old '04 Vibe (now in the hands of my nephew) stopped being able to shift out of drive. Once he got the car parked he couldn't start it again and had to use the parking brake to keep it from rolling. The gear selector moved much more freely than it had before and wouldn't lock into place when the car was running.

Based on these symptoms I figured that the shifter cable bushing had failed and the selector and transmission shift cable were no longer connected. That was a correct assumption and I was able to fix the car by replacing the bushing; it took me about an hour start to finish. Here are the videos and resources I used that were most helpful:

Part number for the bushing is in this video about the Corolla: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF6zX6ApZ40&t=129s

Part number is 33835-08010. I ordered one off of Amazon and it worked great!
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RX21SMW

Here is a video that outlines how to take the center of the dashboard apart. This shows you how to replace the gear selector light, but the cable and bushing are located down and to the left of the gear selector. You'll have access to them if you disassemble it this exact way:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44UV_UF-_Wk

I went ahead and made a short video that shows exactly where the cable and bushing are since I could never find one for the Vibe / Matrix, only the Corolla: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Fy5wyVbITCs

Also, here are some pictures of where the repair needs to happen, along with the bushing having been replaced:

This is the location of the linkage (did the fix in a lower level of a parking garage so it's a little dark! Sorry! )

IMG_0999.jpg (355.73 KiB) Viewed 6 times

And here is the gear selector stud seated back inside the bushing at the end of the cable:

IMG_0992.jpg (515.45 KiB) Viewed 6 times

Worth noting that I didn't see a spot for a retaining clip on the stud. It may have been a bad angle and low light, but I didn't see a spot for a clip to go. Not sure that a kit with a clip in it from Amazon would have made a difference. I hope this helps someone else with the same issue!