I found this cheap fix on another forum years ago. I hope someone here will find it useful.
One day, while wheeling in the dunes, I could not get my 04 TJ out of park. Pressing the button on the shifter did nothing. I ended up removing the shift indicator cover (PRND21) and manually pressing down on the shift interlock tab to get it into drive enabling me to get home.
Then, the internet search was on! I found out that this is a very common problem with the 42rle transmission shifter. Some have had the problem while in drive, not being able to shift the Jeep into park and remove the keys. Also, when this happens, you can not shift the Jeep into low gear as well.
What happens is the white plastic rod inside the shifter breaks. The two broken ends then pass each other, not allowing your shift button to press the interlock far enough to engage. Many non mechanical owners have found themselves stranded, and/or having to leave their key in the Jeep because they can't shift into park.
Pull hard on the T shift handle. It will pop off. You will see a white plastic rod inside the shifter. If you can pull it out, it is broken and you have identified your problem.
Easy fix right? Yes and no. The dealer will try and sell you the whole shift assembly, which requires removing the center console to gain access. Then, you replace the same faulty part with another identical faulty part. The broken rod is not replaceable. It is a permanent part of the entire shift assembly requiring a complete new assembly to replace just the rod.
Better fix: Cheap and easy. Simply make your own replacement piece out of a chopstick (yes, Chinese food), or a piece of plastic coat hanger. Cut it about 1/8" longer than the broken piece you pull out. Massage one end to fit back inside the shift handle. Put it back together and you are done! The larger diameter of the chopstick, or coat hanger, will not pass the broken piece way down inside the shifter, and you interlock will function again.
5 minute fix.
My chopstick has been going strong for ten years, with no signs of failure.
This is my spare along with the broken plastic rod out of my shifter.
One day, while wheeling in the dunes, I could not get my 04 TJ out of park. Pressing the button on the shifter did nothing. I ended up removing the shift indicator cover (PRND21) and manually pressing down on the shift interlock tab to get it into drive enabling me to get home.
Then, the internet search was on! I found out that this is a very common problem with the 42rle transmission shifter. Some have had the problem while in drive, not being able to shift the Jeep into park and remove the keys. Also, when this happens, you can not shift the Jeep into low gear as well.
What happens is the white plastic rod inside the shifter breaks. The two broken ends then pass each other, not allowing your shift button to press the interlock far enough to engage. Many non mechanical owners have found themselves stranded, and/or having to leave their key in the Jeep because they can't shift into park.
Pull hard on the T shift handle. It will pop off. You will see a white plastic rod inside the shifter. If you can pull it out, it is broken and you have identified your problem.
Easy fix right? Yes and no. The dealer will try and sell you the whole shift assembly, which requires removing the center console to gain access. Then, you replace the same faulty part with another identical faulty part. The broken rod is not replaceable. It is a permanent part of the entire shift assembly requiring a complete new assembly to replace just the rod.
Better fix: Cheap and easy. Simply make your own replacement piece out of a chopstick (yes, Chinese food), or a piece of plastic coat hanger. Cut it about 1/8" longer than the broken piece you pull out. Massage one end to fit back inside the shift handle. Put it back together and you are done! The larger diameter of the chopstick, or coat hanger, will not pass the broken piece way down inside the shifter, and you interlock will function again.
5 minute fix.
My chopstick has been going strong for ten years, with no signs of failure.
This is my spare along with the broken plastic rod out of my shifter.
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