Nissan Repair: 1994 nissan sentra 1.6liter, nissan sentra, shift linkage

Question
today my wife shifted the car into reverse and it jumped real hard and the engine raced up to about 3500 rpm but when i checked it it did the same thing it appears the shift cable bushing is missing it is an automatic tranny would this cause the engine to race up

Answer
Brian,

The shift cable would not cause the car to race when it is shifted.  But, I would replace it since the car can slip into the wrong gear because of the loose shift linkage.  My bet is the rear transmission/engine mount is worn and the intake hose is being pulled.  Open the hood and stand to the side while your wife shifts the car and see if the engine jumps.  Sentra cars are known for this rear mount wearing out and then the engine jumping.  If the air intake is not cracked and only loose it would not need to be replaced.  But, the engine mount is probably.  Check it out and email me back.