All of these types of cables tend to corrode inside,
so they need lubrication. The best thing I've found
is 'USED' motor oil. I always have a squirt can full
of it and use in on a lot of such things, including
my mower wheels. I'll admit it causes a bit of a mess
sometimes, but I've never found a commercial product
that soaks in and 'stays put' like used motor oil.

didn't think it would need lube in less than a season.

so how do i go about this? disassemble, remove cable from housing, lube, and reassemble?

thanks for the help.

On those cables that have a plastic coating,(sheathed),
but have an appearance of a tight wound spring with a stiff
wire through the center, I apply a few drops at the
high end of the cable and let it seep down through
the cable. I check it every so often and apply more
as it soaks in. On the un-sheathed cables, I apply it
to the outside also, along the entire length. After
about 24 hours you should start to see some improvement.
Others may recomment WD40, or some other brand of
penetrant, but the used motor oil is what I've found
works best for penetration, and lubrication and
prevention of the corrosion that caused the problem
in the first place.

what i think actually happened was it was frozen. without any adjustments, today the cable works fine as it did before.

lbpod, thanks again for your help.