shifty shifter

Recently on my kj I've been noticing that my shift knob is loose, this is causing the transmission to not want to go into to park, and once in park, to not want to shift out. Also the overdrive lockout button on the knob will stick and not disengage. My jeep is an 03 sport , 3.7 liter 4x4 with the 545rfe transmission. Anyone else experience this? If so, how do I fix it. Or is it the loose knob at all? Perhaps something with the linkage? There's no apparent way that I can see to get the knob off,( short of busting something). Any help is greatly appreciated.

Ive always read that it not wanting to go into park and getting stuck in park is something called the shift interlock cable. Basically its the linkage going to the ignition.

If it is the interlock cable, I dealt with this problem recently.

http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35927

For troubleshooting, the best thing to do is to remove the console. There were about 6 or 8 philips head screws you have to remove. Most everything else pops in and out with metal clips. Once you have the console removed, then use the key, the brake, and move the shifter to see where it is binding.

Also there is very little in the knob that could cause this problem. Most of the components are down in the shifter(you'll see this once you remove the console, everything is fairly visible). And also Mopar only sells the whole shifter as a unit, they don't sell replacement pieces. The shifter unit is around $100.

you can always use neutral/parking break. *shrug*

I'm a problem solver, what can I say.

stuck key

Hey this happened to me as well just a long list in the line of things this Liberty has wrong. However, before you take it in to get fixed or spend a dime try this....there is a set screw on the shift handle towards the front of the handle it's a tox screw.....loosen the set screw and gently pull up on shifter while holding it tighten the set screw....it's worth 5 min of you time!!!!!! if you need the cable it's an easy diy thing.