Your shifter cable is out of adjustment or the arm is loose on the shaft. The transmission isn't moving to the correct positions.

The nut on the shaft is a pivot. Don't touch it.

Check the cable clamp at the transmission. Have someone shift gears while you watch the arm. It must move and stop firmly for each gear. If it doesn't, the cable needs adjusting.

 

Thankyou but that's not the case.

Detents are the key.

I will detach cable and loosen clamp of shaft arm, then observe positions by feel, checking that cable end matches shaft for each shift lever position.
(The arm can be moved by hand, slowly as some detents are close to each other, so easy to miss one.)

(Certainly shift lever seems to be worse than before for matching letters P-N....)

 

1983? Do you mean 1993? This is a 41TE?

 

Yes, corrected. 4s AT transmission, electrically controlled.

 

While adjusting cable, don't allow the vehicle to roll. Set the parking brake or chock the wheels. The shift cable is lightly sprung towards Park for a pre-load.
Because of the shift cable & shaft being located under the battery, it is subject to corrosion. I've had the shaft bind in the transaxle case.

Loosen lock-bolt (4), pull cable towards you, then let it relax & re-tighten lock-bolt.

 

While adjusting cable, don't allow the vehicle to roll. Set the parking brake or chock the wheels. The shift cable is lightly sprung towards Park for a pre-load.
Because of the shift cable & shaft being located under the battery, it is subject to corrosion. I've had the shaft bind in the transaxle case.
View attachment 118396
Loosen lock-bolt (4), pull cable towards you, then let it relax & re-tighten lock-bolt.
View attachment 118397

Thanks, it is good so I am back to electrical troubleshooting.

 

Shift linkage is correct.
Detached linkage at shaft arm, can move shaft to all positions by hand on arm.
Position of linkage end matches arm end in all of P-R-N-D-3-L.

End points of the range are solid - cannot move arm further (P and L).
(I think overdrive is electrically controlled only, which gives the claimed four speeds - O-D-3-L.)

Will double check. Done. Still shifts erratically.


Then back to electrical, looking for fuse/relay in the mess under hood (no relevant fuses under dash). Study WDs and dig out power train diagnostic manuals and wade through their verbosity.

(The 1994 GC has a box of relays and fuses near the battery, this 1993 1/2 build has unlabelled mess (dig out my notes from past research).)

Oh! look for a second fuse panel under dash, my memory tinkles - the obvious on is behind a pop-out panel in bottom of dash.

 

It still should have 'limp-in' (P, R, N, 2), even with total electrical failure. Internal hydraulic/mechanical issue?