Chuck Naill

The shifter was frozen between 5-7. I marked where the cable was held at the derailleur and untightened the screw then removed the shifter to see if debris was causing the problem. Actually the shifter began to twist as designed and the cable is being pushed or pulled by the shifter. However, the derailleur does not move even though the cable is moving back and forth. My question is, could the derailleur be stuck or damaged. There is actually a protective cover that I removed so I could work on the bike, so no visible damage that I can see from a direct hit.

When I take up the slack on the cable, the shifter is stuck. When I loosen the shifter click seven times.

Thank you in advance.

Bill Kapaun

With the cable detached from the RDER, pedaling should allow the RDER to shift to 7th aka the smallest cog.
Or just grab the cable & pull while pedaling and it should go to 1st aka Biggest cog without issue.

curbtender

Did you just get this bike? Could be someone turned the stops on the derailleur. If you had it working before and it just started doing this then I'm not sure what it is.

Chuck Naill

I actually was thinking about this, but since I just got the bike for my grandson last year, I assumed the adjustments were where they need to be. I will give that a try. Thank you.

Chuck Naill

Thank you.

Bill Kapaun

You might ask the grandson if he was practicing being a bike mechanic.

You didn't mention which brand shifter, but if the bike is a Huffy, the shifters were pretty much junk.
If they are Shimano or SRAM, your chances are better, but any part can still fail.

Chuck Naill

I mentioned in the OP these were Shimano. Thank you. I doubt he was, but maybe a dropped bike.

Bill Kapaun

Sometimes I forget to look at the title.....

Chuck Naill

No problem, Bill.

I took the bike to the shop I use, they corrected the problem. The mechanic said there was a lot of play in the cable. He adjusted the cable barrel screw. I learned something valuable. The shop refused to charge me a dime.

maddog34

I'd guess that someone tried to "shift" the gears while the cranks were not being rotated... this puts an incredible amount of stress on the cable, and eventually it slips in the clamp on the Derailleur, or the shifter breaks.
glad to hear it was the slip and not the break alternative.

Chuck Naill

Last evening when I took the bike back to my grandson, I told him what you said. This is his first multi speed bike. I believe you properly diagnosed the problem. Thank you.

maddog34

you are welcome, sir... any time.