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Gear shifter stuck?

Tiny
DAVIDTHEBMXER
  • MEMBER
  • 2009 FORD EXPLORER
  • 67,000 MILES
When I was parked the gear shifter got stuck. When I force it moves but it is one gear off. It is automatic. What should I do?
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013 AT 12:07 AM

21 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
It sounds like the shift lock solenoid is not working. I would start by checking the shift lock fuse which is the B fuse in the interior fuse panel here is a guide and the fuse location below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (Below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
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Tuesday, February 12th, 2013 AT 12:12 AM
Tiny
DAVIDTHEBMXER
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
Thanks you it was the fuse it works again this site is amazing!
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Monday, February 18th, 2013 AT 11:00 AM
Tiny
LESLIE BRIAN
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  • 2007 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 55,000 MILES
My 2007 Sporttrac sticks in park (first startup in the AM and intermittently)but more often now that it is cooler in the AM. It was part of a recall for this and a circuit board was replaced in early Sept. 2007 for this problem; and it was fine for a few weeks and now it ithe sticking is worse than ever. Took it to my local Ford dealership yesterday and they have no idea; I am not willing to have them start tearing the truck apart for 100.00 an hour when they don't seem to know I where to begin. Called Ford central no help there either. PArt of my qt. Is could the recalled part be defective as well.
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi Leslie Brian, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

Are your brake lights working properly if so have the shift interlock control system checked out-could be the shift lock solenoid not engaging-
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MORGANR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
Why is my vehicle stuck in the Park gear and wont move?
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
This is due to the shift interlock not releasing however, this may be due to the brake on off switch not working. Also called a brake pedal position switch.

If the brake lights do not work then the switch is the issue. However, if the brake lights are working when you press the pedal then we need to go to the actuator.

I attached all the info you need to replace the actuator. I suspect this is the issue and the easy way to confirm this is to listen for a click in the column when pressing the brake pedal and the brake lights are working.

Here is a video on the brake light switch on a different vehicle but the process is the same even through it will look a little different:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBCDVfzNQGk

Let us know if you have questions.
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
COSSP
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  • 2003 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 40,000 MILES
Is the problem a brake pedal switch or
nuetral switch or stop light switch?
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FLEXY5
  • MECHANIC
  • 512 POSTS
The prake position switch sends a signal to a solenoid on either the column (for a column shift) or the shift tower (for a center console shift). You either have a bad switch or a bad shift interlock solenoid. If you lightly turn the key towards the ignition position, you will feel one position before everything turns on. Get the key to this position and with your foot on the brake, shift to neutral. Then you should be able to start the vehicle and shift from there. Shout back if you have any other questions.
Dave
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
COWBOY DAVE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I had this happen on my 03 Explorer. It was a broken wire on the electrical connector that attaches to the brake switch. Very difficult to see. With a test light, confirm that you have 12 volts on one of the wires. If you do, short the two wires together. Check to see if you have brake lights, then start the truck to see if it solved the problem. If that worked, chances are you will need to clean or replace the brake switch. Also, there is an emergency bypass on the bottom of the steering column that you rotate counterclockwise to allow you to put a screw driver into it. With the vehicle running, and your foot on the brake, gently push a screw driver into the opening and move your shifter. At least you will be able to drive it home/to the shop. You will not have any brake lights until it's repaired. I simply spliced a new chunk of wire to the connector and am still running it. Good luck. Tracing electrical problems is the toughest part of any repair.
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER
I'm having a major problem with the Shifter. Last Night, I turned the truck on, going to pull the the shift to Reverse, but can't, was stuck in Park for about 10 minutes. Then, my dad manage to pull it to R and going to P. Well, it went between the P & R. Won't go back to Park. Have to leave it in Neutral and put the E-Brake on. And the Brake lights don't work. Can you help me and my dad. We don't have the money to go to the shop. This is the 2nd time it has happen.
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
The brake lights not working caused the shift interlock to prevent the shifter from being moved out of park. Forcing the shifter out of park would damage the interlock mechanism. You would need to remove the console cover to check what damage had been done and rectify. Hopefuly it is ony a bent rod whch can be repaired by straightening it out.

Of course you need to get the brake lights working too. It could be a blown fuse or a bad brake switch.
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ROMAN13W
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  • 2002 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
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  • 100,567 MILES
My 2002 Explorer Doesnt Want To Change Into Reverse Or Drive Anything Its Stuck In Parking
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DR LOOT
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,311 POSTS
You have a bad brake pedal position switch located on top of the brake support
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DR LOOT
  • MECHANIC
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Before I can assist you, you will need to answer a question, 1. When you apply the brake, does the shift lever come out of park at all? If you have your owner's manual looked under Towing, and see if you have an emergency release to take the vehicle out of park when the battery is dead or there is no keys.
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FIREBLUES
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  • 2000 FORD EXPLORER
  • V8
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Intermittently sticks in park. Can't move the shift lever. Am applying the brakes. Have changed the brake pedal position switch also called the brake light switch.
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
This is due to the shift interlock solenoid that is sticking or not allowing the selector to be moved. I attached the info on this. I would replace this and then retest but I am sure that will solve your issue.

Let us know if you have other questions.
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
E
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
  • AUTOMATIC
The shifter is stuck in park. The car is on, the brake is depressed, but can't shift out of Park. Heard from someone that it could be a fuse? Any help would be great
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)
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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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
E
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Thanks for the help. I'll try that.
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MAILFOU
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  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 232,000 MILES
Shifter has been getting stuck in park. It took extra convincing to come out of park by stepping on brake harder than usual
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Friday, January 8th, 2021 AT 11:07 AM (Merged)

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