Can't get the shift lever out of Park
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Can't get the shift lever out of Park - 1/18/2008 8:53:45 AM
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jon0249
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Joined: 1/18/2008
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My 2002 F250 4x4 w/5.4L V8 runs great, but this morning, I couldn't get the shift lever out of Park without some trickery involving the gear shift and key tumbler. It's worked fine 'til now - pressing the brake pedal releases the lock, but not today. What could be causing this? Is it linkage, or is it the brake pedal switch?
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RE: Can't get the shift lever out of Park - 1/18/2008 10:09:05 AM
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Hayapower
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If the stop lamps were working, then I'd check for applied current to the interlock solenoid as a starting point.. If its good, and the lever won't come out of Park, reach up under the dash just above the shifter cable arm.. Pull 'down' on the interlock solenoid cam/lever.. You'll feel it 'click' if the key is in the ON position (without the brake peddle applied) and the lever will pull on down.. Make sure the park brake is set.. If it easily pulls down from Park, then it will prove out the linkage ect.. Also, is the shifter sloppy? The shifter tube bushings tend to wear out, sometimes the clamp screws come loose as well as the shift cable lever at the bottom of the column housing..
_____________________________
05 F250 C/C FX4 6.0
1969 Firebird Trans Am
2003 Hayabusa GSXR1300
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RE: Can't get the shift lever out of Park - 1/18/2008 10:41:20 AM
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jon0249
Posts: 5
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Joined: 1/18/2008
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Okay, an update. I removed the brake light switch, and the single contact was slightly burnt, so I cleaned the contacts, reinstalled, still no worky. I tried a new switch, still no response.
So, where is the interlock solenoid? Is it available at a parts store, or a dealer item?
Shifter is not sloppy at all, but I'll check to see that the screws are not presenting circumferential interference. Is there a trick to getting inside the steering column/housing to the base of the shift lever? There's a boot preventing easy access.
Thanks for the advice.
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RE: Can't get the shift lever out of Park - 1/18/2008 11:40:30 AM
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Hayapower
Posts: 2082
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Joined: 7/22/2006
Status: offline
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Check for 12v in/out of the brake lamp switch.. If the tail lamps are working,, should be good to go.. Look straight up from the drivers foot/scuff plate area.. You'll see where the shifter cable attaches to the lower shift arm/lever.. Just slightly upwards on the 'column body' (left column side towards the door) you'll see the bottom of the interlock solenoid body hanging down with the electrical connector pointing straight out.. Tight quarters there, and pull the large lower steering column access panel (4 plastic lock screws) will help to see.. You can 'just' reach around the shift cable arm and pull down on the interlock lever to release.. Or, you can apply the brake (key on), then with your hand on the solenoid arm verify it's pulling (or trying) the lever back to unlock the shifter..
The sloppy shifter, and/or 'shift position hunting' is something I just thought I'd mention since the 2 torx screws at the 'lower' shift arm come loose quite often, and the nylon shifter tube bushing wear out.. Generally if the shifter gets sloppy, it doesn't affect the the interlock/park problem.. If the column needs to be lowered to change the solenoid, checking the shift tube bushings/screws is a good practice..
_____________________________
05 F250 C/C FX4 6.0
1969 Firebird Trans Am
2003 Hayabusa GSXR1300
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