Automatic transmission shifter stuck in park

[mateocubillos]

Went to pull out this morning and was surprised with my shifter going from reverse to drive without button and staying in park, and I can go from 1st car to neutral without button. It’ll only turn off in park but I can’t shift. I have an 05 sport. I don’t know what I should even start to look for, has this happened to anyone? And if worst comes to worse how do I override to neutral to get it towed if I need it to?

 

[flyinfish]

The white rod that inside the shifter tube has broken. Some have used a plastic chopstick but I used a plastic clothes hanger and drilled a hole in the end then attached the original top to the piece of hanger.
Pull up on shifter handle and you'll see if the rod is indeed broken.

 

[Mall'er]

^^^ Beat me to it!

Pretty sure you need the chopstick fix.

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

 

[Jerry Bransford]

The white rod that inside the shifter tube has broken. Some have used a plastic chopstick but I used a plastic clothes hanger and drilled a hole in the end then attached the original top to the piece of hanger.
Pull up on shifter handle and you'll see if the rod is indeed broken.

View attachment 355497

View attachment 355498

View attachment 355499

That's what I used to repair mine though I didn't think of connecting the old broken part to the plastic coat hanger piece. Great idea!

 

[Artsifrtsi]

Pretty sure you need the chopstick fix.

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

Sounds like OP isn't having that issue... they said they can move shifter without the button, and the transmission stays in park.

I do not have an auto, but almost sounds like the shifter has more issues than just the button. Does the auto shifter still need the button pressed if the shift cable is not connected?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Sounds like OP isn't having that issue... they said they can move shifter without the button, and the transmission stays in park.

I do not have an auto, but almost sounds like the shifter has more issues than just the button. Does the auto shifter still need the button pressed if the shift cable is not connected?

X2, I'm thinking the white nylon bushing that holds the shift cable to the transmission shift lever on the passenger-side has failed. They fail often enough that I bought a spare to carry with me, this is it... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007NPDSAE/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[steelhd]

'Xxxxxxxxxx

 

[steelhd]

Edit - wrong answer for those symptoms

 

[LONGJP2]

if it's the bushing, here's a quick fix.



I got rid of the plastic bushing,
and converted mine to a nut/bolt setup.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

X2, I'm thinking the white nylon bushing that holds the shift cable to the transmission shift lever on the passenger-side has failed. They fail often enough that I bought a spare to carry with me, this is it... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007NPDSAE/?tag=wranglerorg-20

There is a good chance that is the OP's issue, I had the same problem 3 yrs ago, but Holy F-in crap!! $9.04 for that tiny little piece of plastic? I was irritated when I spent closer to $6.00 back then and I didn't think about getting a spare. But hey, at least that seller offers me free shipping (in under two weeks). All I can say now is, Please go away Brandon!!!

 

[Yokai]

if it's the bushing, here's a quick fix.

View attachment 355875

I got rid of the plastic bushing,
and converted mine to a nut/bolt setup.

I had this happen to me just last week. It's easy to temporarily fix with zip ties like this. I'm working on making a 3d print for this part, cause it seems like it takes 2 weeks to order. I don't know if I could ship the printed parts out to people on here though haha