Transmission park sensor problems?? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

1990GT50 · 02-16-2009, 04:11 PM

So I have a question about my daily driver- A 97 jeep cherokee with 4.0/auto. I have been having a problem starting the heep about one in every ten times. When you turn the key, all the dash lights turn on (as normal) but no cranky- nothing at all as if it were not in park. No big deal, as I would just wiggle the shifter around and then it would fire up. It has since gotten worse and now it wont fire up no matter how much I move the shifter around. It seems this sensor is going out but that seems like a wierd problem to have. Has anyone had a similar experience? I have also had my check engine light come on and off because of the sensor that tells the trans to go into overdrive. Whenever the light comes on and the sensor is not working, no overdrive. Im not sure if these problems could be linked. I know this is gonna be simple stuff for someone on here so help me out if possible

iwishihad1 · 02-16-2009, 05:26 PM

hmm..definately sounds like its the neutral sensor switch. seen it go bad/need cleaning on a ton of cherokees.

check to see if your reverse lights are working. if not, then thats definatly the problem

Twisty · 02-16-2009, 05:45 PM

Yeah, the reverse lights are a tell-tale sign of a bad NSS.

You can bypass it using a paper clip...but you will be able to start it in any gear, and your reverse lights will not work.

By the way, this does not belong in the Cherokee forum. Try the Jeep newb section.

R.DesJardin · 02-16-2009, 08:50 PM

I believe that the gear location switch is adjustable, crawl under and look at the mounting bolts, they go thru slotted holes, at least on mine they do.

1990GT50 · 02-16-2009, 09:17 PM

So sorry about the wrong forum post, I realized after I posted. Anyways, its rainin frogs and lizards around here and I just broke my foot- also have no garage. Im wondering if this is something I may still be able to do? Is everything fairly easy access? If anyone has a link with a writeup it would be great. The only writeup I could find had no details of where to access and all. I will coinfirm the problem tomorrow with the reverse light test.
Thanks

edit: while im on the subject, do you guys think a shop would be willing to clean the sensor and not force me to buy a new one. I would normally just fire it out but I need to drive this week and im gimpy right now.

1990GT50 · 02-16-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twisty

Yeah, the reverse lights are a tell-tale sign of a bad NSS.

You can bypass it using a paper clip...but you will be able to start it in any gear, and your reverse lights will not work.

Any details on the paper clip use would help. It could be helpfull if it's easy as a temporary fix.

Twisty · 02-17-2009, 05:06 AM

Jump the B and C pins with a paper clip. If its starts no prob, then you have your problem diagnosed.

1990GT50 · 02-17-2009, 01:18 PM

Alright, tto update my own thread, Im postin a link to the best writeup I have found. I think I will fire this out without much trouble. Now I see how the paper clip would work as well so thats my falback plan.

http://www.cherokee-jeep.com/1-2swremov.htm

1990GT50 · 02-20-2009, 01:19 PM

alright i was able to pull the two nuts holding the sensor on but ran into a couple problems. First, i cant figure out how to disconnect the wire harness part. Its on the top of the sensor so I cant even see if there are tabs or anythinh holding it on..... I tried pulling on the wires prety hard but didn't want anything to break. A also am having trouble pulling the sensor off from the transmission its self. It will rotate left-right but will not pull off and I cant seem to pry it either. Am I missing something here?
Thanks

nate379 · 02-20-2009, 01:57 PM

Can just start it in neutral. My ZJ is like that and I'm not going to fix it... one more thing for a theif to try and figure out to get it to start.

1990GT50 · 02-21-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate379

Can just start it in neutral. My ZJ is like that and I'm not going to fix it... one more thing for a theif to try and figure out to get it to start.

Yeah mine wouldn't start in either park or neutral. I ended up getting that all back together and now have a new problem though.....

Now when I turn the key, there is power til it turn it to crank the engine, then all power dies and will not come back til i disconnect and re-connect the battery. Could this be related to the switch or not?

Im thinking it may be alarm related as there is one installed but its never been used and I dont have the switch for it.

Any help? I need to drive this week so im tryin to get my sh!t together during the weekend.

BBR 54 · 02-21-2009, 06:03 PM

where is the sensor located

02-16-2009, 04:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
1990GT50 Granite Guru Join Date: Feb 2008 Member # 109423 Location: Picturesque Vallejo! Posts: 981	Transmission park sensor problems?? So I have a question about my daily driver- A 97 jeep cherokee with 4.0/auto. I have been having a problem starting the heep about one in every ten times. When you turn the key, all the dash lights turn on (as normal) but no cranky- nothing at all as if it were not in park. No big deal, as I would just wiggle the shifter around and then it would fire up. It has since gotten worse and now it wont fire up no matter how much I move the shifter around. It seems this sensor is going out but that seems like a wierd problem to have. Has anyone had a similar experience? I have also had my check engine light come on and off because of the sensor that tells the trans to go into overdrive. Whenever the light comes on and the sensor is not working, no overdrive. Im not sure if these problems could be linked. I know this is gonna be simple stuff for someone on here so help me out if possible

02-16-2009, 05:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Twisty Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Member # 97798 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 595	Yeah, the reverse lights are a tell-tale sign of a bad NSS. You can bypass it using a paper clip...but you will be able to start it in any gear, and your reverse lights will not work. By the way, this does not belong in the Cherokee forum. Try the Jeep newb section. __________________ 88 MJ buggy - D60/14b, 3&4 link, air shocks, 203/205, 5.38s, full hydro newenglandjeepz.org Last edited by Twisty; 02-16-2009 at 05:45 PM.

02-16-2009, 08:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
R.DesJardin Shifting for all Join Date: Feb 2006 Member # 68266 Location: Arlington, WI Posts: 1,202	sensor I believe that the gear location switch is adjustable, crawl under and look at the mounting bolts, they go thru slotted holes, at least on mine they do. __________________ *RADesigns Products LLC - Shift to the Best* The 2nd Amendment is not to be screwed with, I am a card carrying member of the NRA. If this offends you please don't buy my products. http://radesignsproducts.com/Accessories.html Jeep, Toyota and Nissan automatics, Shift controllers and shifters, Toyota Triple Stick levers! My stuff: /forum/toyota-truck-4runner/996438-2rz-82-w-a340-duals-radesigns-way.html John 3:16- He is the answer.

02-16-2009, 09:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
1990GT50 Granite Guru Join Date: Feb 2008 Member # 109423 Location: Picturesque Vallejo! Posts: 981	So sorry about the wrong forum post, I realized after I posted. Anyways, its rainin frogs and lizards around here and I just broke my foot- also have no garage. Im wondering if this is something I may still be able to do? Is everything fairly easy access? If anyone has a link with a writeup it would be great. The only writeup I could find had no details of where to access and all. I will coinfirm the problem tomorrow with the reverse light test. Thanks edit: while im on the subject, do you guys think a shop would be willing to clean the sensor and not force me to buy a new one. I would normally just fire it out but I need to drive this week and im gimpy right now. Last edited by 1990GT50; 02-16-2009 at 09:29 PM.

02-17-2009, 05:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
Twisty Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Member # 97798 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 595	Jump the B and C pins with a paper clip. If its starts no prob, then you have your problem diagnosed. __________________ 88 MJ buggy - D60/14b, 3&4 link, air shocks, 203/205, 5.38s, full hydro newenglandjeepz.org Last edited by Twisty; 02-17-2009 at 11:42 AM.

02-16-2009, 05:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
iwishihad1 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Member # 99055 Posts: 792	hmm..definately sounds like its the neutral sensor switch. seen it go bad/need cleaning on a ton of cherokees. check to see if your reverse lights are working. if not, then thats definatly the problem

02-17-2009, 01:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
1990GT50 Granite Guru Join Date: Feb 2008 Member # 109423 Location: Picturesque Vallejo! Posts: 981	Alright, tto update my own thread, Im postin a link to the best writeup I have found. I think I will fire this out without much trouble. Now I see how the paper clip would work as well so thats my falback plan. http://www.cherokee-jeep.com/1-2swremov.htm

02-20-2009, 01:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
1990GT50 Granite Guru Join Date: Feb 2008 Member # 109423 Location: Picturesque Vallejo! Posts: 981	alright i was able to pull the two nuts holding the sensor on but ran into a couple problems. First, i cant figure out how to disconnect the wire harness part. Its on the top of the sensor so I cant even see if there are tabs or anythinh holding it on..... I tried pulling on the wires prety hard but didn't want anything to break. A also am having trouble pulling the sensor off from the transmission its self. It will rotate left-right but will not pull off and I cant seem to pry it either. Am I missing something here? Thanks

02-20-2009, 01:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
nate379 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Member # 20099 Location: Palmer, AK Posts: 937	Can just start it in neutral. My ZJ is like that and I'm not going to fix it... one more thing for a theif to try and figure out to get it to start.

02-21-2009, 06:03 PM	#12 (permalink)
BBR 54 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Member # 120701 Location: Dunlap TN Posts: 68	where is the sensor located __________________ Flex, almost better than sex [url]www.mountainextremerockcrawling.com[/url]

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