So I have an after market shifter to where all you need to do is push down to get it to move. Works just like the T-bar button. Well I think today when I pushed down it stayed down so the shifter moves freely in any gear and I can't get my key back enough to remove it. Any idea how to fix it?? Thanks!

 

Have you tried moving it to position and lifting the shifter up to to locked position? Also, are you having an issue getting to park and removing the key? If so you might be able to remove the key in neutral, not sure on an XJ.

 

My key doesn't come out. It only goes back a little then stops. And I can lift up my shifter and I can move it from park to drive and all around freely. With no brake or anything. the mechanism inside the shifter I think is stuck. I was thinking of spraying some WD40 down inside it but not sure if that would be bad or not.

 

Have you tried taking the **** off and pulling up on the little white thing that goes down the middle of the shaft?

 

Yeah I have. that white thing doesn't stick to anything inside the shaft. It just sits in there

 

Wd40 is pretty much bad at everything other than water displacement (wd). It might work temporarily but it gums things up in the long run.

When you move the shifter around does it engage? Can you put it in reverse and move the jeep backwards.

It sounds like the shifter isn't actually shifting. If you could truly engage "park" the key should be able to come out. If the shifter moves to park but the key is stuck, I'd guess you aren't really in park.

 

Yeah the shifter works fine. I've been driving it. I just can move it without the break and all that. It engages in each gear.

 

Sounds like the cable to the steering column is the issue. There is a cable running from the shift mechanism to the steering column. When in Park it relates tension and a spring move a locking pin allowing key removal. If you look under the steering column the cable should be clearly visible. See if it still has spring tension on the rod at the end of the cable, if not and it moves loosely you have located part (maybe all) of the problem. To remove the key, lift up on the rod.
Have a auto column in my 5spd MJ, just had to deal with the steering column end.