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won't go into park

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Old Sep 17, 2012 | 06:06 PM
  #1  
keastlick's Avatar
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From: Puyallup
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default won't go into park

So if i shift normal it won't go into park or first gear. Never had this problem before. If i slam it (and i mean almost break my wrist) it will go into park or first. I don't wanna keep doing that. So i need someones assistance.
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Old Sep 17, 2012 | 06:12 PM
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From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
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Engine: 4.0
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The way you worded that has made it impossible to tell, which transmission do you have?
There's obviously something wrong. But with my stick shift I always had good luck getting it into first by slowly letting off the clutch until it popped into gear
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Old Sep 17, 2012 | 06:17 PM
  #3  
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From: Puyallup
Year: 1989
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Engine: 4.0
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it is an automatic that's why i said park. Didnt know stick shifts had park
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Old Sep 17, 2012 | 06:19 PM
  #4  
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From: Hudson, FL
Year: 1999
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Engine: 4.0L Inline 6
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Originally Posted by keastlick
it is an automatic that's why i said park. Didnt know stick shifts had park
You still need to tell us what transmission you have. Aw4?
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Old Sep 17, 2012 | 06:21 PM
  #5  
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From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
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You also said "first gear" a bunch of times. I thought automatic transmissions went into "drive"
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Old Sep 17, 2012 | 06:22 PM
  #6  
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From: Puyallup
Year: 1989
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Yeah not to argue or be a dick can you help me. Could it me lack of lubrication due to sitting for a week or more
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Old Sep 17, 2012 | 06:24 PM
  #7  
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From: Hudson, FL
Year: 1999
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Get under there and check your linkage would be my first recommendation.
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Old Sep 17, 2012 | 06:27 PM
  #8  
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From: Puyallup
Year: 1989
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I did and it looks fine. I thinking maybe some wd40 on it cuz it looks a little dry.
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Old Sep 17, 2012 | 06:48 PM
  #9  
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From: Richmond, VA
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Is it only when you're going into park or coming out as well?
Could be the brake light switch going bad.
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Old Sep 17, 2012 | 07:23 PM
  #10  
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From: northlake IL
Year: 1997
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check neutral safety switch put it in reverse and then check if the reverse lights come on in the back if they do then check that off your list

if not then you need to clean it or get a new one and adjust it.

i had this problem were it wasnt going into park normally i had to push on it twice as hard with the key off.
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Old Sep 17, 2012 | 07:49 PM
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From: middleburg fl
Year: 1998
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Originally Posted by thatXJguy
You still need to tell us what transmission you have. Aw4?
if its not a manual, what other transmissions are left to pick from?

seriously doubt its going to be a lubrication issue
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Old Sep 17, 2012 | 08:41 PM
  #12  
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From: Summerville, South Carolina
Year: 99
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Originally Posted by smeltmaster1
check neutral safety switch put it in reverse and then check if the reverse lights come on in the back if they do then check that off your list

if not then you need to clean it or get a new one and adjust it.

i had this problem were it wasnt going into park normally i had to push on it twice as hard with the key off.
X2 on this
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Old Sep 17, 2012 | 10:35 PM
  #13  
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From: east mesa, AZ
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: rebuilt 4.0
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I didnt see you say if it was automatic or not but if it is auto. try just hitting your fist down onto the gear shifter( seriously) mine does this were it wont go into park and stay in reverse and all i do is this and pull back into drive then it slides right back into park. Hope this helps you
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Old Sep 18, 2012 | 09:00 PM
  #14  
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From: Puyallup
Year: 1989
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Engine: 4.0
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The nss was just recently rebuilt and cleaned. Reverse lights come on. It will only go into park with the key off and if i slam it. I will try hitting my fist down on It tomorrow morning thanks for everybodys help. Its is an automatic aw4. By the way.
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Old Sep 18, 2012 | 09:18 PM
  #15  
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Disconnect the linkage from the transmission entirely. Now see if the transmission will go into park. If it won't its internal. Otherwise its the linkage.

I am betting on the linkage or colum.

Last edited by holycaveman; Sep 18, 2012 at 09:20 PM.
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