99 Jeep Cherokee Sport

The ignition switch actuator broke. I replaced it. Did not replace the ignition switch because it did not appear to be broken. The metal pin on the actuator was broken in half.

I put it all back together. The car starts fine. So I start the car, put it in drive. No problems. When I shift back into park I hear the starter making a loud grinding sound. This also happens if I shift from drive into neutral. To avoid this I have to shut off the engine and then put the car in park.

So what did I do wrong? It's like shifting from drive into park causes the car to try to start itself even though it's already running.

For the installation the three parts - ignition switch, ignition actuator and key cylinder had to be in the run position. I quadruple checked to be sure they were.

 

Xfer case in neutral by chance? You'll get a nasty grinding if you try to go into park with the xfer case in neutral, as the output is freewheeling.

 

I have no idea. How would I tell?

 

The Jeep wouldn't move for one. Do you have 4-wheel drive? If so, push the 4wd drive lever all the way forward.