The ebay ad for the item says "for any 1990-1993 Honda Accord..., . This looks identical to the Honda part, and it even has a stamping on the housing designating the Accord model number." Other info stated in the ad: "Interchange Part Number: 54315-SM4-505" and "Other Part Number: 54315-SM4-989".
On this part I see SM4 stamped on the housing.
Redbull1, you mention you're not sure if 54315-SM4-J81 was ever listed for my model year Accord and place of manufacture. I have no idea either, but wish there were a way I could find out. There is the quite obvious difference in the shifter end of the cable assembly as I've shown/described. I do know for certain is that is my old cable assembly (the one I'm wanting to replace) is the original factory one. Also, everywhere I've looked online so far seems to indicate the 54315-SM4-505 should be the correct part for my car, and from what I can understand, that it would be the replacement for the 54315-SM4-J81. But there's the obvious difference between my original one and the replacement I bought. I just don't get it.

 

Have you looked at another replacement part? This looks like a machining step (cutting the slot for clip land) was missed. Perhaps a defective part.

Suggest showing seller you pics and asking if it's possible you got a defective part.

good luck

 

It looks like that is how that aftermarket part is made. This is from the seller's ebay pics.

I am not sure whether Honda part # 54315-SM4-J81 would be the same as the aftermarket part.

U.S. Honda dealer sites show 54315-SM4-505 for his car. Most sites say 54315-SM4-505 replaces 54315-SM4-J81; however, I couldn't find anything that says his car ever came with 54315-SM4-J81.

There is the possibility that 54315-SM4-J81 is like the aftermarket part. Then like some parts or software, 54315-SM4-505 may be backward compatible with 54315-SM4-J81; but, 54315-SM4-J81 may not be forward compatible with his car.

 

Dorman also makes an aftermarket shift control cable and it looks similar to the TSK aftermarket one. (See attached pic.)

In this Amazon review, the reviewer said he bent the lock pin clip up and used a nylon zip-tie to secure the lock pin clip to the cable.

Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Dorman 16721 Techoice Automatic Transmission Shift Cable

The Dorman part shows it with a new lock pin clip, which may be different than the OEM lock pin clip.

 

Very interesting. The exact same issue I encountered, as the reviewer explained.

In followup with the ebay seller today, I showed him pics and explained in detail my issue. Then he said there should have been a new clip included with my cable assembly. I told him there wasn't. He looked around and said he found he found the clip, which he said must've came out of the bag. He send me a couple pics for comparison. The following two pics are the clip he has, and the two following that are the clip I have:









We guessed there must have been a design change over the years for this part, and if one was to obtain a new replacement for the cable assembly, a new clip with the different design which works with the replacement would be included. He is sending me the clip priority mail. Seems reasonable to assume that will resolve my issue.

 

Dang......learned something new. I hope "priority mail" takes less than a week to get there unlike my stupid CD.

All that aside, it sounds like the seller is trying to make it right as best and as fast as they can.....can't get too mad about that. Yes you are stuck for bit but they admit something is wrong and are trying to take care of it. Anyway, let us know how it turns out.

Just me but it looks like the new clip is a "cut down version of the old...meaning if you took a hacksaw (or something) and cut the "extra part" off the old clip it would work......but I wouldn't try that until you get the new cable and clip in and confirm the fix. Then just for giggles cut the old clip and see if it fits the new cable.

 

Yeah poorman212 I was thinking it might be at least interesting to try to cut the old clip like you said, to see if it would work on the new cable. Fortunately with the new and apparently proper clip I at least shouldn't be forced into that experiment. At least I've managed to get the new cable installed, and I'm just waiting on that clip ("lock pin") now so I can connect it to the lever and be done with it.

If you ask me, the original cable and lock pin design seemed fine. I like the old style better. But, "they" never even bothered to ask me before just deciding to change it, and then keep it a secret from me. Rather sneaky of "them" I must say.

 

Update: Got new lock pin installed on new shift cable now. Works fine and dandy.