O.K. here is the skinny on my current issue. 94 RRC LWB 4.2/Auto
Jumped in the other morning and couldn't get the key to turn. I left it alone and went back later that day. This time the key went in and turned with ease. I moved it into the garage and put it in park and shut it off. Now it won't let me turn the key all the way back AND the shifter slides right through all positions without locking into P nor will it prevent the shifter from being bumped from D to N or R. The button on the shifter feels like it is stuck in the raised position. Starts and kills fine. Key will go back to position 1 but not to lock.
I know about the Interlock solenoid as a possible cause of the key issue, but what am I looking for on the shifter mechanism. I have the diagrams of the shifter and will disassemble it, just don't know which parts and what to look for. Any input would be appreciated.

 

Your ignition tumbler assembly took a dump. Work with it, gently try to removed it, if it won't come out, take it to a look smith and have them remove and hopefully clean the crud out of your tumblers. Try and get your key code and have a new one used, don't use the one they remove.
If they can't remove the key and save the tumbler, go to Rover Conection or DAP and buy a new one.
Mike

 

Cool. I found a locksmith here in town that has done some work for the dealer so I will take it to them. I have a couple of spare keys that I had made when I first got it. Will they work as a replacement?
Any ideas on the shifter? Is it just gummed up?

 

Once the key is able to be removed the shifter should be fine.
Let me know how it goes.
Mike

 

As soon as I get the broken studs out of the headers and get the new cats and O2 sensor; I will take it in. Iwill keep you posted.

 

Wow! I just realized that it has been almost 7 months since I touched this thing. I'm still working on getting the studs out of the manifolds. What are the odds of getting the mainfold bolts without breaking any of them off in the head? Remember it has 173,000 miles on it.