canada_man

I picked up a 1996 xj and the problem I'm having with it is that when I shift it to park and shut it off, the keys don't want to come out. I find that I have to start it again, put it in drive just so it wants that forward motoion then back to park. After this the key will come out. If Ive been driving and put it to park, keys are still stuck. I have to make sure the last thing before park is that it had that forward motion (I'm not slamming it into gear while it's rolling either, just allowing a bit of forward lurch).
The other thing is that 1/2 is unusable. When I put it in 1/2 it easily pops out on its own. If I try holding it in 1/2 I can easily, but it allows 3rd gear anyways. The first makes me want to think it's the ignition lock/cylinder but with the second issue it seems like something might just be misadjusted. I was told by the po that a transmission was installed recently.

Ideas?
Can't forget the picture!

freegdr

seen this yet....http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...djustments.htm

canada_man

?

freegdr

Thats better

freegdr

click here_-----

http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...djustments.htm

canada_man

Thanks, i'm using the app and the picture when clicked on showed the correct orientation but I couldn't quite figure out how to get it the right way in the post. Also your first post just showed a period when I originally saw it but thanks for updating.
I have been to that link and will try it when it warms up a bit here as I don't want to break any little plastic pieces. Is that cable the same as the one on top of the tunnel that connects to the shifter mechanism? Maybe similar adjustments can be made there? Also noticed last night while parking it my reverse lights have gone out. Haven't checked bulbs yet but kinda makes me think NSs might be causing these problems. Starts only in park and neutral though and shifter seats firmly in all gears except 1/2.

freegdr

Cable on trans lines up shifter to gears in tranny. Cable inside lines up shifter to igniton key release in column.

canada_man

Finally got to this, this past weekend. I was able to solve the problem by adjusting the shifter cable from underneath the vehicle. The quick release that is mentioned in the above link took me a little while to figure out. There is two slots from below that a screwdriver can be inserted and pried on to remove a horseshoe type clamp. In order for everything to work correctly (shifter seats firmly into all gears, reverse lights work, and key comes out smoothly in park) I had to manually push the shift lever forward on the side of the transmission almost into the next detent. While holding it in that position I reinstalled the quick release. It seems like my shifter cable has been stretched (probably from when the po had the trans replaced). My concern is that I may be hurting the trans by holding it in between detents (although it is closer to park (rear detent)).

robertj

Thanks for the follow up!