Whats up HT!

Trying to reassemble an auto transmission shift cable on a 2000 civic ex. I got the cable installed but when i am shifting the shift **** the gears are in between their actual position on shift lever... I notice when attaching cable to transmission the cable was fully extended at transmission side of cable and i had a tough time pushing cable back into sheath... could the cable just be bad? How do you find neutral underneath car where cable attaches to tyranny?