I was driving to work this morning and was in 3rd gear, went to down shift at a stop sign and its stuck in 3rd gear. 1988 jeep wrangler. It has been grinding the gear for a few weeks now everytime I change from 2nd to 3rd gear it grinds really bad. It kinda feels like the clutch is just not releasing? what else could it be?

97 wrangler

what does that mean, it has no clear meaning at all.
first is car a auto or stick (mines a stick)
stays in gear can mean many things,,,
1: A/t shift lever stuck in drive, you never said what gear,?
2: M/t sticks shift car, , the car moves in gear, with clutch held to floor.

i cant shift to neutral?
I cant shift to park.
I cant what? be clear. please

get your codes first. as three things in your transmission can go wrong.the pressure sensor.the governor pressure sensor is failing.and your filter in the box very dirty and needing changed .so get the codes first cheaper.

Assume that is stuck in 4wd, cannot shift back to 2wd. Have you tried shifting to 4wd/Lo and back? Try letting out on the clutch while slowly rolling?

Assume you are manual transmission?

i have a 1988 jeep wrangler 6cyl with 5 speed transmission. I was shifting the jeep and it got stuck in third gear. We opened it up and saw that the linkage is aligned and everything is in place. I dont know what is wrong and what to do next. please help ....

Have a code check done and see if speed sensor or controller is working properly. if bought from a dealer, get it back there asap...they can't sell it in that condition!!...No test drive before you ploped down your money?

check the linkage from gearstick to gearbox

check maf and tps sensor

It does sound like a vacuum leak. Get a can of WD-40 and start spraying around the carb. It will rev up, and U can pin point the loose vacuum hose, are crack vacuum hose.

shift tranny from 1st-3rd if engine revs up clutch needs replacing

   What engine is in the Jeep. 4 or 6 cyl?  how many miles or her? May be a timing chain concern but i will need the asked for info.