95 XLT can't get out of Park Sometimes

[marragtop]

I have a 95 XLT 4.0, AT, 195K miles. Sometimes (especially if it's on a hill) I have a hard time getting it out of park. It starts fine, it just doesn't want to come out of park. The brake lights do work, so I don't think its stop light switch related. SOmetimes the only way I can get it out of park is to keep jiggling the ignition key and the shifter and eventually it comes out of park. I suspect the problem is either ignition switch related or something else within the steering column.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

 

[gmanpaint]

I have had this happen to me a couple of times. The trans gets in a bind and gets jammed up. I have had to get out & push the rig in one direction to relieve the pressure. If your on any incline set the parking brake before you release the brake after placing in park.

 

[marragtop]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, the parking brake doesn't work as the right rear cable is seized up. It's on my 'to do' list, but I'd really like to get the parking lever situation fixed.

 

[gmanpaint]

The parking brake will help in this situation, preventing the jam up from happening again.

Another way to help the jam up is to turn off the rig in Neutral, wait a few seconds for everything to stop motion, then place in park. Slowly release the brake pedal.