Tight Transmission Shifter Cable

[Rednel]

Since Covid I took my KJ off the road and used our family car. With lack of use, the transmission cable on the shifter got really tight or when I'd put it back in park it wouldn't actually go in all the way so the car would not start - the car sensing it was still in Drive. So I managed to go under the car and get it freed up a bit by spraying some WD40 and it seemed 100 percent again.

However after a day or two it starts to get a little tight again to begin with.

So what do people think? Just using the vehicle shifter frequently so it frees up with use? Or can I lube the cable with something? Better than WD40?? I'm hesitant to use something that could attract dirt and make matters worse...

Someone also mentioned a worn bushing in the transmission can make things tight but hopefully that is not the case here. It works just fine after I WD 40 and feels free and good for a day or two.

Any advice from the experts here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[LibertyTC]

The BTSI (shift interlock) is non serviceable. There are checks & adjustments for the gear shift cable.
Corrosion, salt, etc at cable ends may be your issue, but I'm not there unfortunately to help inspect for you.
Here is some needed to know information. Check alignment as below to start with.

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You could try ATF+4 using a small model Testors paint brush to oil the inner/outer linkage/cable ends if possible or fluid film spray may help.
Inspect / spray gear cable/shifter mechanism at transmission side for free motion and not binding.
It would be easier to have 1 inside moving the shift lever, from 1st gear all the way to park, while the other is underneath looking for any bent or operational issues or binding at transmission side (L)
Here is your 2003 FSM: http://www.colorado4wheel.com/manuals/Jeep/KJ/2003JeepKJServiceManual.pdf

 

[Rednel]

The BTSI (shift interlock) in non serviceable. There are checks & adjustments for the gear shift cable.
Corrosion, salt, etc at cable ends may be your issue, but I'm not there unfortunately to help inspect for you.
Here is some needed to know information. Check alignment as below to start with.

You must be registered for see images attach

You could try ATF+4 using a small model Testors paint brush to oil the inner/outer linkage/cable ends if possible or fluid film spray may help.
Inspect / spray gear cable/shifter mechanism at transmission side for free motion and not binding.
It would be easier to have 1 inside moving the shift lever, from 1st gear all the way to park, while the other is underneath looking for any bent or operational issues or binding at transmission side (r)
Here is your 2003 FSM: http://www.colorado4wheel.com/manuals/Jeep/KJ/2003JeepKJServiceManual.pdf

This is great I will give these suggestions a try! Thanks

 

[Rednel]

Just posting an update on what was the issue. Although lubricating the shift cable mechanism seemed to help for a while, I had to take the car to a transmission specialist and have the transmission dropped so they could replace the shaft and seal that is connected to the linkage cable. Apparently it was extremely corroded on the inside of the transmission case as well causing a bit of binding.

Time will tell...

 

[LibertyTC]

Thanks for reporting back. Never heard of this problem before. Hopefully the shaft seal prevents further corrosion, and the cable continues to operate well.