...my shift and ignition interlocks are working properly.

If that were the case, your key would be releasing and the shifter would be freely shifting.

 

Ok, I managed to find the diagrams of the shifter in the RAVE, and I apologize for calling the rod in the shifter a cable, as it is clearly not.

Apologies again if I am still confused.

As I understand, the shifter interlock solenoid is located in the red circle, and it prevents the shifter from moving out of Park without the brake pedal being pressed. Is this correct?



Does this also affect the ability of the sliver rod in the shifter (blue circle), which the shift button pushes up on, to move up and down?

Here's another pic...

 

Thats the thing, I can release the key and freely shift depending on the position of the shifter rod circled in blue.

If I am in park and that rod is pushed down (i.e. button not-pressed state), I can turn the key all the way counter-clockwise and it comes right out.

If I am in park and I turn the key to position two, I push the brake down, and the shiftlock solenoid unlocks. At that point, if I pull the rod up (i.e. button pressed state), I can freely shift.

My issue is, the rod cannot go up and down without alot of force applied. Definitely more than that little plastic button mechanism can apply.

 

Hey,

No need for apologies. I just think there is some misunderstanding on both of our behalves. Let's start the discussion all over.

1. The key interlock is released to allow for key removal when the tranny is in park. If that is not working then the system is not recognizing that ity is in park, usually due to slack in the cable, not the rod you were calling a cable. It has nothing to do with the button on the side of the tranny shifter.

2. The tranny interlock keeps you from shifting from park unless brake switch is activated. Also independent of the button on the side.

3. It sounds to me that your problem is more related to the actual shifter rod and the functioning of the pushbutton and I have no knowledge of that aspect of the mechanisn, sorry I cannot offer better advice, maybe someone who is intimately familar with it can teach us both about it.

Someone else please jump in, the water is fine!

 

I found those posts by Paul Grant. He seems pretty knowledgeable about the shifter, so I sent him an email with my issue. No response yet.

Perhaps you, or someone else, could do a quick little experiment for me?


1. with the key in position 2 and the shifter in gear, push the button and move it to park and keep the button pressed

2. with the button still pressed and shifter in park, can you now turn the key all the way to the off position and remove it?

 

Paul is very knowledgeable, he is one of the guys who buys and dis-assembles these things and has many years of LR expertise. I am just a owner who has learned by having to keep h9is going.

I will be glad to take a closer look tomorrow. I did go out and play with mine a minute and it is smooth all around.

The ignition switches are known to be troublesome. Paul has replacements for just about anything you or I may need though and he is quite an expert. He will be able to guide you I am sure of it.

 

Hey guys, if anyone still cares...

I found a thread on another forum that I believe is my exact issue.

So, I think I have 2 options.

1. leave the rod in the "button pressed" (i.e. up) position and unplug the key lock. This, I assume, will leave me with a key that will come out anytime, and a shifter that will be able to move through all gears without pressing the shifter button. Not the safest solution, but would work.

2. take the gear selector apart, get the shaft out and remedy whatever the hell is binding it. *sigh*


The lazy bastard in my would like to go with #1, but since the center console is already out I should probably decide on #2.

Ugh. If I go #2 and uncover something I will, of course, report back...

 

The rod is probably bent because someone tried to force the shifter, either with the key off, foot not on the brake, or if there was an issue with the brake switch or solenoid in the past. Take it apart and figure out why the rod is binding, remedy that first. Remove the interlock solenoid to prevent future problems with it. Throw it in a pond, where it can't cause you grief.

 

Sit back, have an ice cream, then pull it apart for repairs.

 

Ok, havent re-installed yet cause I gotta get some grease, but it's fixed. Slides up and down with nice spring action!

It was hard to tell which, maybe it was both, but there was a slight bend in the bottom of the shifter causing the inner rod to get stuck from lots of friction.

Hard to explain unless you've seen one up close, but I fixed it by widening the gap that the "fin" slides in via crowbar and hammer. I can post some pics of the mechanism if anyone is interested.