Panic: shifter just moving back and forth, can't start

[Joeinnewjersey]

Hi Everybody. Just had an incident with my 2006 Jeep (auto, 4.0). Was going in reverse, went to put jeep into park and shifter went right up to park with ease and I can move it back and forth. Can not start the jeep and unless i put on the E brake the wants to roll. Wtf?

 

[Lou]

Sounds like your shifter cable broke. take a look under the shifter bezel and also at the transmission it self.

 

[ErikOffroad]

Is it the button in the shifter for the detent. U can pop the cover off below the shifter and see it. There’s a white plastic thing in the shifter that tends to brake. You have to pull straight up pretty hard to pop the shifter off to gain access to it. But it is what’s most likely broken. I replaced mine with a piece of metal brake line I had laying around

 

[ErikOffroad]

Looks like this

 

[Joeinnewjersey]

Is it the button in the shifter for the detent. U can pop the cover off below the shifter and see it. There’s a white plastic thing in the shifter that tends to brake. You have to pull straight up pretty hard to pop the shifter off to gain access to it. But it is what’s most likely broken. I replaced mine with a piece of metal brake line I had laying around

 

[Joeinnewjersey]

Picture:

 

[ErikOffroad]

So the shift button pushes down on the white part to make the detent move out of the way. Pull it up and check if it’s snapped

 

[Joeinnewjersey]

So the shift button pushes down on the white part to make the detent move out of the way. Pull it up and check if it’s snapped

I pulled off the “t handle” and i can push down on the white piece that you described and it clicks and allows me to move the shifter back and forth

 

[AjRagno]

That plastic rod under the handle is for the brake transmission shift interlock. This is not the issue here.

Most likely, the cable bushing came out at the transmission.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0178V9IGU/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Joeinnewjersey]

That plastic rod under the handle is for the brake transmission shift interlock. This is not the issue here.

Most likely, the cable bushing came out at the transmission.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0178V9IGU/?tag=wranglerorg-20

thanks. Would this also prevent the jeep from starting ?

 

[ErikOffroad]

I read that wrong I thought you where stuck in park

 

[ErikOffroad]

There’s a neutral safety switch so it won’t start In gear. The transmission is probably stuck in gear which is why it won’t start. So ya. Put the park brake on and get under the Jeep and see if the cable is still attached

 

[Joeinnewjersey]

I see this:

 

[chad]

Odds are you just broke your shifter linkage connector bushing. They are cheep and you can usually find something that will fit at any auto store. If you’re stuck somewhere you can set your parking brake and move it by hand to get home.

 

[Joeinnewjersey]

Odds are you just broke your shifter linkage connector bushing. They are cheep and you can usually find something that will fit at any auto store. If you’re stuck somewhere you can set your parking brake and move it by hand to get home.

View attachment 186452

View attachment 186453

Yep, that’s what is no longer connected.

 

[chad]

Yeah that’s what it is. A factory MOPAR one fits the best. I’d order a spare.

 

[Chris]

Here ya go:

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/2003-2006-42rle-transmission-shift-interlock-fix.10654/

 

[Joeinnewjersey]

Here ya go:

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/2003-2006-42rle-transmission-shift-interlock-fix.10654/

Thanks Chris but from the great help I received on the thread it looks like the bushing that connects underneath if broken and needs replaced.

 

[Chris]

Thanks Chris but from the great help I received on the thread it looks like the bushing that connects underneath if broken and needs replaced.

Oh damn, I missed that. Oops!

 

[Joeinnewjersey]

Yeah that’s what it is. A factory MOPAR one fits the best. I’d order a spare.

I did a search on autozone and advanced auto and there is nothing particular to my model jeep. Is this a general part that a clerk can look up?