90 XJ Backup light switch - Adjust or replace?

My 90 XJ backup lights only work if I push the shift lever (automatic)
slightly toward "Park". I suggested to the dealer that it may need an
adjustment - they countered with nearly $500 P/L to replace it. Sounds like
a scam to me. Does anyone have any experience with this condition, and if
so, was it just an adjustment or complete replacement? Can the switch or
shift mechanism simply be adjusted, or am I on drugs? I believe this Jeep
service dept's techs work on commission....
--
Dana
Port Kent, NY
93 YJ
90 XJ Ltd.
---------------
91 Grand Wagoneer Ltd.
82 Cherokee
76 Cherokee

It is time to find another $tealer, that one is a plain rip off artist.

Yes you can adjust the switch and when bad it can even be rebuilt.

http://www.dirtdevils.org/briantechtippage.htm

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Dana Rohleder wrote:
>
> My 90 XJ backup lights only work if I push the shift lever (automatic)
> slightly toward "Park". I suggested to the dealer that it may need an
> adjustment - they countered with nearly $500 P/L to replace it. Sounds like
> a scam to me. Does anyone have any experience with this condition, and if
> so, was it just an adjustment or complete replacement? Can the switch or
> shift mechanism simply be adjusted, or am I on drugs? I believe this Jeep
> service dept's techs work on commission....
> --
> Dana
> Port Kent, NY
> 93 YJ
> 90 XJ Ltd.
> ---------------
> 91 Grand Wagoneer Ltd.
> 82 Cherokee
> 76 Cherokee

In defense of the stealer, the proper way to repair your condition is to
replace and adjust the expensive part. However if you check on a jeep forum
you'll find out how to remove, repair and reinstall the switch. Yes the
switch is expensive and that dealer is no worse then the rest. It will get
to the point where it won't start in park, but neutral should work. A dealer
has to stand behind his work and cleaning and relubing the NSS (Neutral
Saftey Switch) is a gamble and if you have the time you can do it yourself.
But if a dealer's tech cleanes and reinstalls it and it dosen't work then
who will pay for the extra time?

Not a dealer tech!
JoBo


"Dana Rohleder" > wrote in message
...
> My 90 XJ backup lights only work if I push the shift lever (automatic)
> slightly toward "Park". I suggested to the dealer that it may need an
> adjustment - they countered with nearly $500 P/L to replace it. Sounds
> like a scam to me. Does anyone have any experience with this condition,
> and if so, was it just an adjustment or complete replacement? Can the
> switch or shift mechanism simply be adjusted, or am I on drugs? I believe
> this Jeep service dept's techs work on commission....
> --
> Dana
> Port Kent, NY
> 93 YJ
> 90 XJ Ltd.
> ---------------
> 91 Grand Wagoneer Ltd.
> 82 Cherokee
> 76 Cherokee
>
>
>

It really only sounds like it needs adjusting, maybe replacing or
rebuilding later, much later.....

You are correct that no tech will repair it, that is for the shade tree
specialist. ;-)

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Jo Bo wrote:
>
> In defense of the stealer, the proper way to repair your condition is to
> replace and adjust the expensive part. However if you check on a jeep forum
> you'll find out how to remove, repair and reinstall the switch. Yes the
> switch is expensive and that dealer is no worse then the rest. It will get
> to the point where it won't start in park, but neutral should work. A dealer
> has to stand behind his work and cleaning and relubing the NSS (Neutral
> Saftey Switch) is a gamble and if you have the time you can do it yourself.
> But if a dealer's tech cleanes and reinstalls it and it dosen't work then
> who will pay for the extra time?
>
> Not a dealer tech!
> JoBo
>
> "Dana Rohleder" > wrote in message
> ...
> > My 90 XJ backup lights only work if I push the shift lever (automatic)
> > slightly toward "Park". I suggested to the dealer that it may need an
> > adjustment - they countered with nearly $500 P/L to replace it. Sounds
> > like a scam to me. Does anyone have any experience with this condition,
> > and if so, was it just an adjustment or complete replacement? Can the
> > switch or shift mechanism simply be adjusted, or am I on drugs? I believe
> > this Jeep service dept's techs work on commission....
> > --
> > Dana
> > Port Kent, NY
> > 93 YJ
> > 90 XJ Ltd.
> > ---------------
> > 91 Grand Wagoneer Ltd.
> > 82 Cherokee
> > 76 Cherokee
> >
> >
> >

Can't it be adjusted? There is an adjustment bolt on the unit - what is that
for? The switch operates properly - car will only start in P or N. The only
problem is the reverse lights do not come on unless you move the lever
slightly toward P. It doesn't sound to me like it even needs to be rebuilt -
maybe just the linkage needs tweaked. The AllData procedure states also
states "Check gearshift linkage adjustment before replacing a switch that
tests bad."

I think it is worth a $500 gamble. I think I am going to perform the repair
myself. I'll just pay them for what they have done so far, which is look up
the part cost & R/R for the job.
--
Dana
Port Kent, NY

For sure it can be adjusted, that is what the 'adjustment' bolt is all
about.

It might not be the sloppy part though. That might just be a symptom of
a worn bushing in the gear shifter linkage. They do tend to get sloppy
over time and yours is at that age. The adjustment will make up for
this.

It also could be a symptom of a broken/soft transmission mount or
bad/soft engine mount. If the tail of the tranny slides a little
sideways like it will with a torn or bad mount, the linkage goes out of
adjustment. The adjustment on the switch will not work well or help for
long if this is the trouble.

I would first do a close inspection of the linkage and mounts, then just
try adjusting it if all else seems fine. That could last for years
again.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Dana Rohleder wrote:
>
> Can't it be adjusted? There is an adjustment bolt on the unit - what is that
> for? The switch operates properly - car will only start in P or N. The only
> problem is the reverse lights do not come on unless you move the lever
> slightly toward P. It doesn't sound to me like it even needs to be rebuilt -
> maybe just the linkage needs tweaked. The AllData procedure states also
> states "Check gearshift linkage adjustment before replacing a switch that
> tests bad."
>
> I think it is worth a $500 gamble. I think I am going to perform the repair
> myself. I'll just pay them for what they have done so far, which is look up
> the part cost & R/R for the job.
> --
> Dana
> Port Kent, NY

the part alone is over 300 no ****

Dana Rohleder wrote:

> My 90 XJ backup lights only work if I push the shift lever (automatic)
> slightly toward "Park". I suggested to the dealer that it may need an
> adjustment - they countered with nearly $500 P/L to replace it. Sounds like
> a scam to me. Does anyone have any experience with this condition, and if
> so, was it just an adjustment or complete replacement? Can the switch or
> shift mechanism simply be adjusted, or am I on drugs? I believe this Jeep
> service dept's techs work on commission....
> --
> Dana
> Port Kent, NY
> 93 YJ
> 90 XJ Ltd.
> ---------------
> 91 Grand Wagoneer Ltd.
> 82 Cherokee
> 76 Cherokee

i agree with mike since it starts and moves a adjustment should take car of it
it's on the pass. side of the trans and 2 bolts hold it on

Mike Romain wrote:

> It really only sounds like it needs adjusting, maybe replacing or
> rebuilding later, much later.....
>
> You are correct that no tech will repair it, that is for the shade tree
> specialist. ;-)
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
>
> Jo Bo wrote:
> >
> > In defense of the stealer, the proper way to repair your condition is to
> > replace and adjust the expensive part. However if you check on a jeep forum
> > you'll find out how to remove, repair and reinstall the switch. Yes the
> > switch is expensive and that dealer is no worse then the rest. It will get
> > to the point where it won't start in park, but neutral should work. A dealer
> > has to stand behind his work and cleaning and relubing the NSS (Neutral
> > Saftey Switch) is a gamble and if you have the time you can do it yourself.
> > But if a dealer's tech cleanes and reinstalls it and it dosen't work then
> > who will pay for the extra time?
> >
> > Not a dealer tech!
> > JoBo
> >
> > "Dana Rohleder" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > My 90 XJ backup lights only work if I push the shift lever (automatic)
> > > slightly toward "Park". I suggested to the dealer that it may need an
> > > adjustment - they countered with nearly $500 P/L to replace it. Sounds
> > > like a scam to me. Does anyone have any experience with this condition,
> > > and if so, was it just an adjustment or complete replacement? Can the
> > > switch or shift mechanism simply be adjusted, or am I on drugs? I believe
> > > this Jeep service dept's techs work on commission....
> > > --
> > > Dana
> > > Port Kent, NY
> > > 93 YJ
> > > 90 XJ Ltd.
> > > ---------------
> > > 91 Grand Wagoneer Ltd.
> > > 82 Cherokee
> > > 76 Cherokee
> > >
> > >
> > >

As per the service manager:

ALSO, THE BACK UP LIGHTS WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE NEUTRAL
SAFETY SWITCH WHICH COSTS $253.76 + $195.00 (INCL DIAGNOSTIC TIME ON
CHECKING THE WIRING FOR THE SWITCH).

Maybe they are giving me a "break" on the part and raping me for labor (3
hrs vs. AllData's estimate:
Parts . OEM Part
. Price


Neutral Safety Switch

Thanks!!
Dana
--
93 YJ
90 XJ Ltd.
---------------
91 Grand Wagoneer Ltd.
82 Cherokee
76 Cherokee

"It's in our country's interests to find those who would do harm to us and
get them out of harm's way." GW Bush -Washington, D.C., April 28, 2005
"Mike Romain" > wrote in message
...
> For sure it can be adjusted, that is what the 'adjustment' bolt is all
> about.
>
> It might not be the sloppy part though. That might just be a symptom of
> a worn bushing in the gear shifter linkage. They do tend to get sloppy
> over time and yours is at that age. The adjustment will make up for
> this.
>
> It also could be a symptom of a broken/soft transmission mount or
> bad/soft engine mount. If the tail of the tranny slides a little
> sideways like it will with a torn or bad mount, the linkage goes out of
> adjustment. The adjustment on the switch will not work well or help for
> long if this is the trouble.
>
> I would first do a close inspection of the linkage and mounts, then just
> try adjusting it if all else seems fine. That could last for years
> again.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's