98 Grand Cherokee shifter wont stay in place (moves freely)

key wont come out or turn to off until gear selector is in park [ recognize that its in park ] your selector or transmission selector cable is damaged

older post 1month
you failed to say what tires are touching, dry pavement or ice/snow or off road...... MATTERS big time.......!

the operators guide tells you not to do that.
the rules for 4Hi and low are different. RTM? yet?
last year ZJ
Quadra-Trac(tm) NV242 box. it is. full and part time box.
what does it (oper guide)tell you.
stay out of part time on dry roads. (clear?)
rule 2, save rule for Low Range.
low range is not full time 4wd.
if you fail to believe it , it will wind up and go crunch

here is the direct quote.... see last line,,, its 100% real.


i you had the NV231 box, all gears are Part time, all 4wd gears stay off dry pavement.

Duplicate question.

You may have broken a retainer clip on the linkage. Raise the vehicle and look where the shifter comes through the floor while a helper moves the shifter. Verify the linkage arm moves with the shifter. If not, then look closely at the linkage arm and bottom of the shifter shaft to see if either broke or if the clip is missing.
Good luck!

It sounds like the lever from the gear shifter has come loose. I would first look at the shifter from under the car. You can also remove the boot (or console) from inside the car and check the linlage. Most linkage is held on by a small clip or cotter pin and somethime they don't stay in place anad the linkage slides off the arm..

My stepson also has a 99 grand cherokee and had the same problem they have a cable that connects the shifter to the transfer case. his problem was the cable broke. I changed it for him and works fine now but it's not easy to change so do not try to change it yourself unless you know what your doing.

No, not with out a lot of work. Electronics are most likely different on the 2 also.

What you need to do is have your linkage checked....on my 98 Grand Am the bolts holding my linkage in place came loose...and one accualy fell out...would not let me shift....I bolted the linkage back down and everything was ok....

Hello
Is it the shifter not moving or is it the transmission staying in 3rd gear?
Thanks
RD

Give the shifter a good hard hit on the top. Sometimes it pops out of place.