[Closed] Why won't my shifter work?

What Shifter?

Spray the internals liberally with WD40 and see if that helps (no need to take shifter apart to do this!)

Left hand/front shifter of the LX variety.
I'll open it up and maybe try and figure it out, I do have a new unused LX shifter somewhere just in case!

Don't use wd40 as it will turn to a sticky glue when it dries out a bit. Use brake cleaner first and then a spray lubricant.

Often caused by the grease drying out and becoming sticky, usually gums up the pivot of the release pawl. Spraying lube in's not always effective as it doesn't always get where it needs to, and working the pawl by hand is often needed. You don't need to strip it into a zillion pieces, just remove it from it's housing.

I've used the WD40 trick plenty of times in the workshop, it has never turned to a sticky glue.

The old grease in shifters does sometimes turn to a sticky glue and prevent the pawl from engaging, giving very similar symptoms to the OP's problem.

similar issue here, fixed with WD40: http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/broken-alivio-shifter

Nah, no workin.
I'll run it 2x9 until I find the spare shifter. It's a different colour, not sure about that!

Have you had a look inside at the pawl that engages the ratchet...? It doesn't take much taking-apart - go on, what's the worst that could happen? 😉

I bet it is the problem, it always is (see above for the rest of the helpful advice). This topic should be made sticky as it crops up [url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/floppy-shifters-lx ]all the time[/url].

Good luck!

I did, took the whole thing apart! The whole thing's had a good soak in GT85 too. When moving to the big ring, the lever flings out and doesn't move a thing as if there's no ratchet system there.
At least the flat smells nice.

More fibre?

Oooh, just re-read the post, shifter you say............. 😯

I'm working fine, but shifters aren't 🙂