shift interlock removal

[TiRod]

Anyone got a good diagram of the tilt column from the left side? '90 XJ -

I've disco'd my shift intlerlock at the shifter to remove the annoying "can't get it in park if you take out the key first" safety feature. It's a real irritation for someone old schooled in a 66 Mustang, and I don't see the "safety" of it yet.

Having torn down the column frequently for other problems, I discovered the FSM shows no pictures for the rack and pinion driven by the key cylinder - tilt column. It seems that the lock rod is captured by the rack and won't fall out. I'd like to remove it so I can dump the cable assembly, which is spring loaded to push the rod and allow the key cylinder to rotate to off.

More safety engineering. That and the little electrical connection to the cable - why? - which is buried in the electrical diagrams to be discovered later.

Possibly someone has already done this and can explain it - I have the tilt pin removal tool and expect that's part of the process.

 

[cLAYH]

I think it would probably be easier to dissamble the floor shifter and simply disconnect the cable at that end then it would be to mess with the column.

The " little electrical connection to the cable" is most likely the safty lockout to prevent you from starting the vehicle while in gear.

 

[TiRod]

Yes, I did that when I worked on it to get my own way.

I'll disco the electrical and see if it starts - that could provide another complication.

Some forumites did claim to disconnect the cable (when I searched) and I would like to hear all about it.

 

[cLAYH]

Hmm I didn't think of that. I guess if you disco'd the cable at the shifter and didn't leave it in the park or N position it would think it would be in gear and not start.

Last year I converted my '89 XJ from a 5spd to auto. To simplify things I left out the shift interlock cable completly. I do have to be careful to make sure its in park before shutting it off or it will roll, did that quite a few times right after the install because I was used to leaving the 5spd in gear to park it. Never have had a problem with starting it in gear though.