Column Shifter Won't Move
#1
Column Shifter Won't Move
97 F-150 V-8 w/auto trans & o/d. Quick question for the forum. Twice in as many days I couldn't get the column shifter to move until I turned the key off and restarted the engine. Then it moved smooth as silk. Is there some kind of ignition interlock on the column shifter that could be worn out? Should I try a locksmith first, or take it to a transmission shop?
#2
Join Date: Feb 1999
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Could be electrical.
It won't come out of Park unless your foot is on the brake.
There are electrical components that determine whether your foot is on the brake.
They could say you don't, when in fact you do.
Don't force it like I did. I snapped one off at the steering column like a turkey wishbone. That will give you a whole new set of problems.
Next time it happens, instead of shutting down, try taking your foot off the brake for a moment then re-apply and try to shift.
That may isolate the problem as electrical or eliminate it as a possibility.
It won't come out of Park unless your foot is on the brake.
There are electrical components that determine whether your foot is on the brake.
They could say you don't, when in fact you do.
Don't force it like I did. I snapped one off at the steering column like a turkey wishbone. That will give you a whole new set of problems.
Next time it happens, instead of shutting down, try taking your foot off the brake for a moment then re-apply and try to shift.
That may isolate the problem as electrical or eliminate it as a possibility.
Last edited by Raoul; 12-22-2006 at 09:40 AM.
#3
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#6
Yeah you turn it to the key on engine off position, shift it into neutral, then start it. Already tried it and it works. I'm pretty sure the brake lites are working, but Ford says there's some kinda sensor circuit associated with the brake pedal. I'm gonna let them look at it after Xmas anyway, because my parking brake lite comes on when it gets cold outside or if you slam on the brake real hard. Then you have to mash the parking brake down and release it to make it go off. A brake shop looked at it and told me the dealer would have to fix the problem, because it wasn't a mechanical problems.
#7