Interlock problem on Automatic Gearbox

[chris32]

Interlock problem on Automatic Gearbox - Unable to move selector from Park on my 1990 Auto Eunos

Once or twice the gear lever has stuck in park but always eventually comes free when I "wiggle things". Today I removed the console to have a look. Afterwards the stick would shift to all positions even with the key out, and with the key in and brake pedal pressed the actuator that "guards" the Park position didn't move. Brake lights come on as they should by the way.

I found that I could reset things by pressing the "p range switch" sitting to the left of the stick. I discovered it's existence on a USA forum, but couldn't find what it is there for.

It looks like there is a metal pin that moves down when the button is pressed on the selector I think that pin should engage with the switch but never actually does. There is no adjustment anywhere that I can see. There a lot of lateral play on the selector, and I think the bushes are worn. Even so the pin doesn't seem to travel far enough to engage with the microswitch however I wiggle the selector.

Question: Should the pin engage with the microswitch when the selector button is pressed down? Or if not, then what should?

I think the microswitch is working as it should because if I press it then the actuator operates and releases when brakes are applied and released.

Has anybody worked on this area and can tell me how it should work please.

[Mazda Mender]

The cable as not come off at the ignition barrel as it? how bad can you " wiggle" it, if the top hat bushes are to worn and giving to much play it can give problems.
I think the pin you are talking about is a thick pin which should be for freeing the gear shaft with a manual select button when there is no power, put i would need to see a pic to be sure that is what we are talking about buddy.
M-m

[chris32]

Auto Interlock Pics

fourpics.jpg (190.06 KiB) Viewed 8392 times

Thanks for your very quick reply. Here are three images and a wiring diagram. Sorry they are a bit blurred. I can try again if need be. I couldn't see how to upload multiple pics so have put them all in one.

[chris32]

A bit more. Referring to the wiring diagram above, I can see that the "P switch" provides an earth through the two black wires. This allows the solenoid to actuate when live is provided on the other side of the actuator through the brake switch. So I am pretty sure that the problem is mechanical because if I press the "p switch" it all works. Referring to the diagrams (sorry they are blurred) the pin never actually presses the "P switch" to enable the solenoid. Even when I take up the slack on the bushes of the lever. The third pictures shows that even with maximum travel the pin never presses the microswitch.

Reworked_b.jpg (152.29 KiB) Viewed 8384 times

[flea]

Wayne is doing you a Video & will post it up in a bit

[Mazda Mender]

We can see whats wrong,you are missing the arm off the micro switch which would of broken off because of the loose top hat bushes , you do need to fit some new ones, Autolinkmx5 sell them buddy....

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S05z8smHWD8[/youtube]
M-m

[flea]

Well done Wayne. Simple & to the point ;-)

[chris32]

Yes, well done Wayne. You are so correct. The video is absolutely brilliant and exactly shows what must have happened. I got a powerful light down into the hole and there lying at the bottom was the broken of arm.
I have seen the bushes on the AutolinkMX5 site so will call in there to buy them, although I am not sure I am confident enough to fit them myself. Do you have any idea where I might get a replacement switch? It looks pretty standard.

[Mazda Mender]

Speak Andy while you are there or get on the phone to him tomoz, he is Admin on here to so just direct him to the thread for ref
M-m

[chris32]

Hi, I called in AutolinkMX5 this afternoon. I spoke to Andy and Anthony, they supplied the bushes and a replacement switch as well. Also, a good deal of valuable information. Thanks to all, perhaps I'll have a go at fitting the bushes myself!

[Mazda Mender]

Andy is sending me some Auto gear selector bushes to do a how to with, so watch this space.
M-m

[chris32]

As you suggested on the pm Wayne I took the assembly out of the car and sure enough the job was much easier. I am a bit concerned about the tightness of the new bushes. When re-assembled the bolt/shaft rotates with the selector lever meaning that the nut on the end of the bolt rotates against the body of the assembly. I am worried that the nut on the end will work itself loose after a while. ( I can't pm you on this forum until authorized)
regards,
Chris

[chris32]

I am going round in circles here. I think I will have to look at another one. Setting aside the bushes, which now have a nice fit I find that when I do the 13mm nut up on the end of the spindle it clamps the whole lot up. I wonder of it should clamp against the hard shoulder of the spindle, rather like the spindle on a brake caliper. The hard shoulder is flush with the surround so it clamps against the pressed steel surround. The old bushes were completely gone by the way so the shoulder may well have protruded before I took it to bits

[Mazda Mender]

Would you like some pics of one that is still in one piece, show me what you have.
M-m

[chris32]

nut1.jpg (52.78 KiB) Viewed 8397 times

end_of_spindle.JPG (80.28 KiB) Viewed 8397 times

Here the pics. I have included the end nut as it has a split. Is that normal?

Head_on.JPG (187.8 KiB) Viewed 8397 times