AW4 transmission problems

[baseballneal86]

I bought a 95 XJ with 90,000 miles about 2 months ago from a police salvage auction. This is my first jeep so I don't know if this is a normal thing or not.

It has an automatic transmission and while the jeep is parked I can shift from park into all of the other gears without having the keys in the ignition. I don't even have to depress the button on the shifter handle. I figured that this isn't normal because if the shifter got bumped while the jeep was parked it would just roll away.

Has anyone had similar problems or have some advice that they could give on fixing this?

 

[Eagle]

I bought a 95 XJ with 90,000 miles about 2 months ago from a police salvage auction. This is my first jeep so I don't know if this is a normal thing or not.

It has an automatic transmission and while the jeep is parked I can shift from park into all of the other gears without having the keys in the ignition. I don't even have to depress the button on the shifter handle. I figured that this isn't normal because if the shifter got bumped while the jeep was parked it would just roll away.

Has anyone had similar problems or have some advice that they could give on fixing this?

There is an interlock, which is obviously broken or has been deliberately disabled/bypassed. Without knowing what's busted I can't advise how to repair it. I'd suggest taking it to a dealer for a diagnosis. You are correct -- this is a potential safety problem.

Although it shouldn't roll away if bumped when parked. That's what that handle in the center console is there for.