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97 Ford Explorer will not go into gear from the column

Tiny
SARENA1121
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 85,000 MILES
I can not get my 97 Ford Explorer to go into gear on the column, it will not come out of park. What is wrong with it and can I repair it myself?
Friday, July 29th, 2011 AT 9:15 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So do you have a 1994 or 1997 explorer?So the shifter physically wont move fm park?Or does it move but wont come out of park?
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Friday, July 29th, 2011 AT 9:49 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
I's a duplicate also.
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Friday, July 29th, 2011 AT 9:53 PM
Tiny
SARENA1121
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Sorry I just realized how to work this site. It wont go into drive physically fm park. You can however turn the switch over just one click, not until the car actually starts and physically move it. You can then put it in neutral crank it and it will go to drive reverse etc. Just cant put it back in park or it will stick until you turn off the truck.
It is a 97 Explorer. Sorry again I have also already replaced the brake selector switch because I had reas info on the net that made me think that was the problem
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Saturday, July 30th, 2011 AT 6:19 PM
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
You need to check the shift linkage to the transmission.
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Saturday, July 30th, 2011 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
That would be called the shift interlock feature. It operates on the same circuit as the brake lights so the first thing you want to do is to make sure the brake lights are working when this problem is present. If the brake lights are working, that proves the circuit is good up to that point, then you'll have to get to the solenoid in the console/column. Disassemble as much as you have to to access the solenoid near the shifting mechanism. Us a 12v test light to test for power coming and going at the solenoid when the brake is applied. If power is arriving and switching and the solenoid is not triggering, the solenoid is bad and will have to be replaced.
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Saturday, July 30th, 2011 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
SARENA1121
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  • 7 POSTS
The brake lights are not working and everyone please excuse all the posts of this question. The lights are not blown though and I can not find a lose wire or connection took all apart.
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Saturday, July 30th, 2011 AT 9:49 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Use a test light and test for power coming into the brake light switch all the time and going back out when the brakes are applied. I would assume that you have already checked ALL of your fuses but if not, use a test light to test them ALL with the key on.
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Saturday, July 30th, 2011 AT 10:20 PM
Tiny
SARENA1121
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
It was the brakelight switch. They gave me the wrong one at Oriley's so I took it back and got another. I put it on and it worked great. The only thing was I got so excited when I put it together and mashed the brake pedal and saw lights.I forgot to put the clip in the end, the whole thing came apart and I had to do it all over again lol. I wanted to thank everyone for your help and to say have a great day and next time it is disabled I will be back. I try and fix what I can myself. I am a 37yr old ****** of 2 :).
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Monday, August 1st, 2011 AT 12:51 PM
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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  • 20,761 POSTS
You're welcome. Glad you found it.
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Monday, August 1st, 2011 AT 1:15 PM

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