I bought my 98 Tracker about 2 months ago and have begun the buildup on it. Since I have bought it there have been two little problems that I have just dealt with but they are getting pretty annoying.

1st Problem: On cold start it is less than gutless. I am talking I could get out and push it faster than it will move itself. Less than a mile down the road before the temp gauge moves it runs fine and cruises. I have done the tune-up checklist and cleaned out the MAF sensor. Nothing. There are no check engine lights or codes being thrown. Anybody have other ideas before I just start throwing O2 sensors, temp sensors, air temp sensors, MAFs at it?

2nd Problem: When I pull into the driveway or parking lot and put it in park and switch off the key, half the time it will not allow the key to turn all the way off and let the key out of the ignition switch.
I can sit and shift gears for a minute and switch the key back and forth from the start and off position and eventually it will let it go. I'm thinking it is a problem with the Auto Shifter but don't know. There are two switches or sensors in the shifter housing but I do not know what each of them does. Any ideas?

Is it reving and not moving or is the engine not able to rev up? Sounds like you need to adjust the shifter cable so it releases the key lock. I am not sure how it is done as mine is a standard.

Derek

Sounds like your ignition cylinder could need replacing. Or try that graphite lube on the ignition cylinder first and see if it frees it up.

mine is a dawg too when cold.... lately its be 28 to 32 in the mornings. and you can tell. it don't wanna run what i've done so far that has helped mine is i've replaced the dist cap, rotor bug, plugs, wires, air filter, crankcase position sensor, and now it does alot better in the mornins. it only takes about 5 mins to warm up and its good to go. i changed all that stuff at the same time so i'm not real sure what did it but  mine was alot .. the air filter. it was the original that came on it in 96