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2000 Ford Escort Putting transmission into gear

Tiny
JVAI
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD ESCORT
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 85,000 MILES
I can not get the shifter to engage. I push the leaver on the handle and the gear shift will not move. I took the handle off and the mechanism moves up and down, however, the trans will not go into gear? ANy suggestions.
Thursday, September 4th, 2008 AT 4:55 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be a problem with the shift interlock system, check the shift lock solenoid. The brake light and cruise control are they working.
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Thursday, September 4th, 2008 AT 5:26 AM
Tiny
JVAI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have the car parked in the garage. I can not get it into any gear, therefore I am stuck with the car in the garage. Two days ago the gear shift was stuck in park just like today. I keep moving the shifter until it engaged, however, today it will not move. Is there an easy fix to get it into gear so I can drive the car to my mechanic. Where is the shift lock selenoid and how do you check it?
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Thursday, September 4th, 2008 AT 6:42 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check these fuses/stop fuse/room fuse/meter fuse/horn fuse are they okay? And is your brake lights working if okay find the park sense switch below front of center console disconnect the switch and jumper it and see what happens. Don't work have the shift lock actuator tested located front of center console

Check the owners manual if you can override the system.
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+1
Thursday, September 4th, 2008 AT 1:34 PM
Tiny
DSPLC
  • MECHANIC
  • 220 POSTS
Overriding the system:

On the riight side of the shift lever. There is a small round plastic cover. (The left side of the shift lever is P, the right side of the shift lever is a small round plastic cover about half inch.) Pop out the plastic cover, push the lever on the handle and insert a long philips screwdriver in it. It should shift now even if the engine is off. ( You do not need to turn the screwdriver, just insert it)
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Friday, September 5th, 2008 AT 10:42 PM
Tiny
LJM59
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Dsplc, I am not finding the cover on the shift lever (either side) to remove in order to insert a screwdriver.
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Wednesday, April 4th, 2012 AT 2:29 AM
Tiny
LJM59
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Dsplc, I found the cover on the column console across from the P of the shift-letters (P R N D. Etc), used a screwdriver to disengage the shifter. Thanks for the assistance. It works fine now
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Wednesday, April 4th, 2012 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Closing thread.
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Thursday, April 12th, 2012 AT 8:09 PM

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