A cable control assembly is beneficially adapted for shifting controllable mechanisms, such as a power take-off unit, between two conditions, an initial position and an actuated position. The cable control assembly preferably includes a housing, a handle extending from the housing, a driving member, a driven member, and a locking member such as a pawl. Upon shifting of the handle from an initial position to an actuated position, the driving member shifts the driven member, which is operatively coupled to the control cable. Upon reaching the actuated position, the locking member holds the driven member in the actuated position without transmitting a tensioning force applied to the control cable to the driving member. Return of the driving member in a direction toward the initial position automatically causes the locking member to move free of the driven member and enable return of the driven member and control cable to the initial position without other unlocking steps.