1996 XJ won't engage when shifted into P/R

[abbyeliz]

1996 XJ decided to just stop engaging in gears mid-drive to work yesterday. Pulled off on the side of the road, cut the ignition, started it back up and it started to engage again for a few minutes before it stopped. Thankfully was able to get it to engage long enough to get it into a parking lot.

Checked the ATF and it was looking pretty dark - so I drained and refilled it in the parking lot hoping maybe that would fix it. Nope.

Backstory - Started dumping trans fluid in 2023 and put the jeep aside for a few months because I didn't have the time. Ended up having a dead torque converter, replaced that as well as the TCM and some other minor things, back in October '23. Thankfully haven't had any trans issue since.

Not really sure if anyone has any ideas. Everything I search up keeps saying it's the Neutral Safety switch, but the car starts in Park and brake lights are working. It just wont engage when shifted into Drive or Rev. It sounds like its going to engage when shifted into D/R, but when I shift into Neutral or Park is does almost sound this the engines dying out/loosing power...

Also disconnected the TCM and cant shift manually (another forum said that can help weed out electrical issues like a bad solenoid but not sure how reliable that actually is).

The Jeeps my daily so really looking for some helpful input - and crossing my fingers im not looking at another 2k + transmission problem. TIA

 

[Anak]

There are multiple contacts at play in the NSS. If that is the direction things point then take it out and clean it.

 

[lawsoncl]

If it won't shift manually with the TCM unplugged, it's not an electrical issue. Not NSS, TPS, TCM, or solenoids. Reverse is all mechanical, so I think you're looking at possibly a t/c or pump problem.

 

[abbyeliz]

If it won't shift manually with the TCM unplugged, it's not an electrical issue. Not NSS, TPS, TCM, or solenoids. Reverse is all mechanical, so I think you're looking at possibly a t/c or pump problem.

I just had the entire trans rebuilt in 2023 and TC was replaced - if it's the TC again it wouldn't even be worth it for me to replace and rebuild it again. *sigh*... There's no fluid leaks or anything - idk what difference that makes in trying to narrow it down.
Im going to call my mechanic tomorrow and see what he thinks - he worked on the trans last time and swore it would be good for another couple of years

 

[Unclewolverine]

Drop the pan, see how much crap is in it. See if the screen is clogged.

 

[Ogri]

Just a shot in the dark, but a friend had similar issues. It is what we call the PNR switch. Park, Neutral, Reverse.
It is below the shift lever on the outside of the car and can be dismantled for cleaning. Even after cleaning my mates one it didnt work properly and had to be replaced. It is a small triangular plastic housing with an electrical cable coming off it and a multiplug on the opposite end. Check before condemning the whole tranny.

 

[Rob Mayercik]

Just a shot in the dark, but a friend had similar issues. It is what we call the PNR switch. Park, Neutral, Reverse.
It is below the shift lever on the outside of the car and can be dismantled for cleaning. Even after cleaning my mates one it didnt work properly and had to be replaced. It is a small triangular plastic housing with an electrical cable coming off it and a multiplug on the opposite end. Check before condemning the whole tranny.

Yeah, that's what the others mean by "Neutral Safety Switch". Also known as "PRDNL" (pronounced "prindel") switch...

 

[Ogri]

Hello Rob, here is a guy who shows you a number of different ways to test and or bypass the switch in question.
He has over 20 yrs experience and has over 700 XJ`s in his USA breakers yard. He is brilliant and has the most wonderful accent.
From what I understand the switches are very expensive to buy.
Hope you get it sorted out.

 

[Rob Mayercik]

While I'm not the one having the issue, the link is appreciated.