Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Missing first and second gears

It seems like the "gate" has moved in my shifter. It started acting like there was a detent for first gear like the one for reverse; this started about two days ago. Today, it is near impossible to force the lever far enough to the left to get it in first. However, if I put it in reverse and then go back to first, all is well until the next time; it's not the gears. Should my first attack be at the shift tower lever mechanism or the at the transmission linkage end? Any secrets?

Check the cables at both ends first,then the lever movement on the tower.Dont attack the tower until you have checked cables etc first...

I checked both ends of both shift cables and all seemed well. When I raised the leather boot over the shift lever, I noticed a long piece of black plastic that could easily have been wedgeing into the left side of the shifter base swivel. That would have prevented me from moving the lever enough to the left to open the gate into first and second; it was the end of the tie that secures the leather to the shift lever. I cut it off and shifting seems to be working well.
On the other hand, I may be playing a mind-game with myself! :rolleyes: I am convinced the problem is heat related and keep waiting for the problem to arise again.
Is there any adjustment on the side-to-side cable?