My shfiter won't shift!

[ZmOz]

I have a '90 XJ with the AW4. Something happened to the shift lever at one time, and somehow it got twisted. You can see that the handle on top is at an angle, and the button you have to push to move it doesn't need to be pushed. Anyway, with it bent like this, it runs into the peice of metal that is suppost to stop it's movement after 1-2 gear, before it gets into that gear so I can't use it. Is there any reason I shouldn't just cut out a notch in the peice that stops it from shifting past 1-2? Does anybody have any idea what I am talking about?

 

[MJmk]

Why should you have to cut a notch in it!!!

Sounds like the shifter is junk and possibly the cable is out of adjustment. I'd visit the u-pull-it and get another shifter, throw it in, and check the shift cable adjustment. I wouldn't want to risk burning up a tranny because of a faulty shifter holding the valve body between ranges.

 

[ZmOz]

I can tell that it's shifting into the correct positions because it makes a nice "thunk" noise when you change gears. It's not coming from the shifter itself but the transmission.

 

[MJmk]

I'd visit the u-pull-it and get another shifter

:dunno:

 

[ZmOz]

It looks like something that would be a real pain in the ass to remove. Also cutting a notch would be free...

 

[MJmk]

yes...free is a very good price!! But I never seem to have that good of luck. From my own experiences, if I work on junk, I end up with worked on junk that breaks at the most inopportune time, and then costs twice as much to fix!! And on my Jeep, if it's not a PITA, then I'm probably not fixing what is broke. :gonnablow

 

[martin]

First off why not reposition the handle. You can pull it off, just lift up with 20-30 lbs and it will pop right off.

The handle does wear out and you can replace it. Also the plastic piece running throught the center of the shifter also wears out.

You can try picking up pieces at a junk yard, could solve your problem and I hope it does.

I had my shifter get so I could not pull it out of Park or go from Drive back to Park.

I recalled the dealer mechanic telling me my shift interlock recall was not installed correctly so I took it in and told them toe "reinstall" the recall - recalls has lifetime of the vehicle warranty.

My then my junk yard parts were working about 80% of the time so I had the dealer install a new shifter.

The mechanic told me the cable for the shift interlock was totally messed up - shifter to interlock cable.

After I got it back the shifter was not in the right place. Before i could slide from Drive to Neutral without by just pushing the handle up, no button required. After it was like R and N were in that slot.

I took it back to have it adjusted and when the mechanic pressed on the adjuster it broke. So back to him to get a new shift cable installed - shifter to trans cable.

It was not a cheap repair but now I should be set for another 15 years.

 

[XJTripp]

Shifter

I just had a similar problem. The little chrome plastic medallion opposite the button on the T-handle fell off. I glued it on and clamped it accross the T-handle overnight. During the night, the whole internal mechanism drifted right because the clamp was squeezing the button. In the morning, I couldn't even shift into reverse from Neutral. The solution was to take the medallion back off and squeeze the internal plastic thing inside the T-handle toward the button. Now when I press the button, I get enough travel to release the shifter.
Reach down and pull the entire T-handle up and off the shifter. You will see a plastic plunger sticking out of the shaft. Look in the T-handle, and you will see that when you press the button, you are pushing a flat metal spring down to push this plunger. You've got to have enough spring tension to work this. If the T-handle does not sit in the correct position, the plastic sleeve that fits the shaft has been stripped due to improper installation. You can go to advance auto and get an aftermarket nob for $15 bucks or get a new OEM T-handle or a salvage OEM.

 

[ZmOz]

There's nothing wrong with my handle. I can plainly see that the shaft that comes out of the floor is bent, the big hunk of metal on the bottom used to bolt it down is twisted. Because it's twisted, it sticks out farther than it used to, so the stop that used to make it stop in 2nd now stops it in 3rd. How much will one of these shafts cost me at a junk yard?

 

[satan]

Cost is totally relative to location and yard (note - no location by your name)

I've seen the linkages get severy messed-up by heat (bushings melt), are you 100% sure it's only the twisted mounting and that you don't have a nearby exhaust leak or something?

 

[ZmOz]

Yes, I am 100% sure it's bent. I can put my finger in and feel where it hits. I know the part is going to be a different price at every yard...but aproximately? I have no idea if it would be $10 or $100...(I'm in Oregon BTW)

 

[AZ Jeff]

If you are going to obtain the entire gearshift lever assembly (that would mean the handle, lever arm, mounting bracket at floor, etc.) I would expect a boneyard to charge somewhere between 20 and 50 bucks for the part, depending on local market.