Cannot shift out of Park?

TYLYS

MEMBER
1996 JAGUAR XJ6
4.0L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
165,000 MILES

Bought this car a month ago and the seller told me that the brake pedal switch was going bad because the park safety interlock solenoid was working about half the time. I drove the car for about two weeks with it releasing about 80% of the time, now it has stopped all together. When it was halfway working, I could hear the solenoid shift allowing me to pull the lever out of "Park". Now when I step on the brake I hear nothing. I purchased a used brake pedal switch off of eBay, plugged it in but still no solenoid release. The brake lights work just fine. I removed the console panel and swapped out the two relays sitting next to one another, still no solenoid movement when stepping on the brake. I removed the terminal end that is connected to the solenoid and placed a voltage meter on the two ends, depressed the brake and saw no voltage going to the solenoid. I swapped out the original relay with one from the right rear heel panel and still no solenoid release. I do not know if it matters but one of the relays was labeled 195 and the other one has 205, but I tried it anyway. Is there a way that I can jump out the connector at the brake switch to ensure that I do not have another bad brake switch as well?

3 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Put power to the orange wire to shift solenoid to unlock it then take to a mechanic and have it scanned for codes. It may be the body processor module that is no good and needs replacing. That controls the relays to send power to unlock shift solenoid there is also a microswitch on the shifter letting module know it is not in park.

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Thursday, December 8th, 2016 AT 6:46 AM

RICH200J

MEMBER
1 POST
1996 JAGUAR XJ6
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
100,000 MILES

I have a 1996 Jaguar xj6 with about 100,000 miles on it, it runs well, but sometimes after I start my car, the transmission wont shift out of park. I have to let the car run for a while, and eventually I can put the car in gear. ( This happens about 1 out of 10 time). I have checked the fluid and it is ok. I looked it up and read that it could be some kind of linkage between the break and transmission. I understand some cars have park neutral safty switches that could cause this problem. Any thoughts, and is this a serious and expensive problem?

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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

To better assist you if you need to get back with me please let me know if your vehicle is just an XJ6 or a Vanden Plas. Also, the size of your engine in liter.

Your vehicle has a shift interlock system like you suggested. The transmission is equipped with shift interlock system. Shift lock system prevents gearshift lever movement from Park position unless brake pedal is depressed and ignition is on (position II). System also prevents ignition switch from being placed in LOCK position unless gearshift lever is in Park position.

You also have a gearshift interlock relay. I have attached that pic and location.

The interlock may be the Gear Shift Interlock Solenoid located in center console, at base of shift lever assembly.

It may also be according to the wiring diagrams, there is a micro switch sitting there also. I have attached that pic. That same pic (there are two you need to splice together - the switches are at the bottom) is the brake switch that also plays a part in this.

You might also please go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can pull the codes to the car. Most important: Once they check your codes, if they find something and you don't get it fixed and need to get back with us, please make sure you tell us exactly what the code was, number and all. Example, if the code was E0568 O2 Sensor bad. Then make sure you give us all of that. While there for FREE also they can bring their tester out and check your battery and alternator.

I suggest this just in case your car did throw a code this will give us more to go on. Plus with the winter weather it is good to know your battery/alternator are working strong.

It doesn't show any checks other than chasing wires for bad grounds etc but at this time I cannot locate pin voltage etc.

If it were me. . ...I would first take the console apart so I could see the switches there and see if there is any problem there. Even put my foot on the brake and see how it responds to see if it is hitting the switch correctly.

Check the switch at the brake also and see if it is out of adjustment. Put a meter on the wire at the micro switch (not the black wire) and depress the brake and see if you are getting voltage to the switch. If not then I would then replace the relay. . ...and check again.

If still no voltage then replace the brake switch.

If you are getting voltage to the micro switch at the shifter, then that switch may be your problem.

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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)