Jgate is VERY stiff to shift out of the park position (smooth once in/past R), looking underneath the rod to the jgate bends visibly from tension until the cable begins to move.

Will a new shifter cable fix this, or could the tension be from the transmission end under the car?

 

If you do swap you will have to be very careful and follow the instructions I gave you in your other thread. If you get the chance, grease the replacement cable before you put it in the car.

Have you checked to make sure the cable isn't snagged on something?

 

I really think it is time to stop speculating, have the car on stands, and look underneath.
Not the nicest job, but not too difficult either.
You will quickly be able to see if it is the cable or the transmission itself.
Good luck.

 

Took your advice, on the lift all looks totally normal, sprayed lever area with wd40, mechanic said since the park position sensor is internal to the transmission and the resistance is only Park to neutral (not throughout all shift positions) then it's most likely the cable, not the transmission or internal sensor.

To test the cable resistance requires unhooking it, by that point it makes sense to change it already (since I'm paying for labor, not doing it myself)

Is this a logical assessment and conclusion?

 

I guess so, seems logical next step to take.

 

How do you grease the cable?? Just got the replacement but only the last couple inches sticks out from the sheath.