Gear shift stuck

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 10 Dec 2009, 05:28

Re:1994 850 non turbo automatic wagon

The gear shift is stuck in Park. It's hit and miss sometimes but today it won't move.

What does the small red dot (beside the Parking Brake light) being on indicate?

Post by **jblackburn** » 10 Dec 2009, 07:21

Push down the shift lock override button and it should shift into gear. If it's "hit and miss" as you say, try jiggling the ignition key once started, let go of the brake, and then press it again and see if it will go into gear. If not, you probably have a bad shift lock microswitch.

C@lvin · Post by **C@lvin** » 10 Dec 2009, 08:37

In my 98 S70 (should be the same for your 94 850) the Stop Light Switch is also part of the circuit for the shift lock override microswitch since the engine is supposed to be running (key in the correct position - hence Jack suggests wiggling the key) and your foot on the brake in order to place in gear. I replaced the microswitch only to find out that the Stop Light Switch was the failed component. I don't know how common Stop Light Switch failures are, but I had initially ruled it out because the other functions related to it (brake lights and cruise control) were working properly. Luckily, I was able to swap components out of my 00 V70 to troubleshoot it.

Post by **jblackburn** » 10 Dec 2009, 08:48

Good point - I've had those go before too. Easy test for that, step on the brakes and have someone see if your brake lights are working!

I can't stand it when people don't realize their brake lights don't work or are stuck on, they're usually really bad drivers too and stomp their brakes without warning. For some reason, I don't know if anyone else has ever noticed this, but older Jeep Grand Cherokees NEVER have all the brake lights working right. Bad electrical system?

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 10 Dec 2009, 13:50

BTW, that little red light is the ambient temperature sensor telling you it is at or below the freezing point.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 11 Dec 2009, 15:19

The 'jiggling' trick worked! I also sprayed some grease along the shift lock override button and that sprung it back to life.

My little beater owes me nothin' but I occasionally end up trying to figure out what she needs from time to time.

Thank you kindly to 'yall.