Stuck in Park! Again! How do I defeat interlock?

RamblinWreck · #1 10-07-2001, 12:15 AM

My 2001 Supercrew has done it again - got stuck in park, and I could not shift to neutral, I could not budge the shifter, this time in the middle of a hunting area way out in the sticks. Had to wait 2 hours for a tow! I'm not sure what caused it; I stopped on a road, put it into reverse, backed up, then park, then the truck would not budge out of park. Turn it off, turn it on, try the trick in the owner's manual, key out, key in, parking brake on, turn to STOP, try to shift into neutral - no joy! Nada!

So I had to call Ford roadside assistance, and while the moron on the phone is trying to get my VIN number and other assorted bull**** info over an iffy connection - my cell phone cuts off before he even got the directions to send a tow. I had to wait for another hunter with a cell phone to call back, then I had to repeat all this useless info again to a different moron! The wrecker had to drag it up on the flatbed, tires squealing, and to get it off, we had to disengage the linkage under the truck and jam it into neutral, and roll it off. The Ford dealer was locked up tight and the gate closed and locked, so I start it, the tow guy gets under there, uncouples the linkage, and rams it into drive for me, and I drive home (lever still stuck in park) and turn it off when I get there.

This is the second time this stupid brake pedal - gearshift interlock has left me high and dry! I'm sick of it!

I want to know where this solenoid is and how to defeat it! I remember the good old days when you did not have these stupid interlocks and could start and shift an auto transmission without ever touching the brakes - then some morons have accidents because they stick it in drive without controlling the vehicle, and now we all have these stupid interlocks. They make about as much sense as a damn trigger lock on a gun - NONE.

I want it off! The interlock solenoid must go! Someone please tell me where it is, and how to take it off. I want it gone! If it was reliable it wouldn't bother me - but Ford engineering has SCREWED UP AGAIN!!! PROFIT IS JOB ONE! Quality? That's last place, evidently. I cannot have a 4WD vehicle that leaves me stuck miles from nowhere. No!

Calling all Ford technicians! Help!

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Mark Kovalsky · #2 10-07-2001, 12:26 AM

I don't know how to remove it, but if it gets stuck again there is a way to shift out of park.

Turn the key towards "ON," but only to the first position, just before it is on. Now you can move the shifter without the interlock holding.

Move the shifter to "N" to start the truck.

Mark

RamblinWreck · #3 10-07-2001, 12:52 AM

WRONG, MARK, WRONG! Read my post - I tried that, and both Ford roadside assistance morons on the phone had me try it AGAIN and AGAIN, AND IT DID NOT WORK. The shifter steadfastly refused to budge and is still stuck - waiting for the dealer to come 'n get it Monday!

I already knew about this little procedure - hell, it's in the manual fer chrissakes. But it did not work this time, or the last.

I want to know how to take it out permanently. Please!

hmustang · #4 10-09-2001, 07:15 PM

So did you get your trany fixed yet and found out what caused the problem or is it still in the shop waiting to get worked on.

y2kxlt · #5 10-09-2001, 11:35 PM

Sorry this probally doesn't help you at all but my sister had this same thing happen on her 01 Taurus. Turns out to be a broken wire on I'm pretty sure the interlock unit.

y2kxlt · #6 10-10-2001, 12:04 AM

I can tell you how to remove and replace it. I found it in my factory manual. It looks like the old fashioned brake light switches that used to be by the brake pedal. It has a button on the end that gets depressed when you push the brake. You can probably put a tie strap around it to hold the button in. Also I'm sure there is a way to bypass it (jumper wire) because it is a switch.

RamblinWreck · #7 10-18-2001, 04:52 PM

The dealer took three days to fix it - said the "solenoid" was inoperative, and they had to wait for Ford to send a part. I do not see a switch near the brake pedal, anyway, bypassing it still leaves the solenoid in there, and may also keep the brake lights on all the time? The solenoid that mechanically prevents shifting out of P must be located on the steering column, and that is what I want to defeat/remove.

fireman467 · #8 10-20-2001, 01:17 AM

I had the same problem on my old truck. I just turned the key to the first position then put my truck in nuetral to start. After testing the fuses, I went to check if the switch was getting power. Whenever I stuck the wire to see if it had power, the last bit of insulation came off where the wire had broke. All I had to do was reconnect the wire where it had broken at the switch and everything worked after that...
-Michael

pipebuggy · #9 11-05-2003, 09:54 PM

Oh this cracks me up. I registered on this site today to research this very problem. Of course it happened to me in 5 below MT before work. So I got out my flash light, crawled under the dash and found this leeetle bitty plastic ramp that stops the shift lever from moving forward. Reach up hold the shift lever out and flip the little gate down. The lever should then come to the postition where it will move down into gear. The second time I had to do this today I put the e-brake on.

So if I understand correctly this is a smart truck telling me something is wrong with the brake lights???

temp1 · #10 11-05-2003, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RamblinWreck
I remember the good old days when you did not have these stupid interlocks and could start and shift an auto transmission without ever touching the brakes - then some morons have accidents because they stick it in drive without controlling the vehicle, and now we all have these stupid interlocks. They make about as much sense as a damn trigger lock on a gun - NONE.

Alas, one more interlock is needed for morons like me that get out of the vehicle while it is still in drive. I would have to put my foot on the brake pedal to put the truck in drive. Then, the truck would shut off and automatically put the brakes on if I open a door. Yeah! That would be quite a surprise to those dudes that chew tobbaco and spit it out the door! LOL

Dodge4x4 · #11 11-07-2003, 12:59 AM

That is the wierdest feature i have every seen. My mom's expy has that. Personally, i like being able to shift out of park without my foot on the brake. They really ought to give people more credit when it comes to driving. I mean, has ANYONE REALLY shifted out of park and not meant to? Is there a way to remove the feature altogether, thus eliminating the potential problem?

nditech · #12 11-07-2003, 01:24 AM

i did once when i was about 6 years old and just about put the car through the garage wall. but since my father was standing there he put in park before it hit. that is on day i will never forget, he was really mad. so i beleive this is where it comes in to play. And before you say well he should have been watching better you better have a few kids first.

Dodge4x4 · #13 11-07-2003, 01:46 AM

This is true. I have no kids, but i was one once.....and i know for fact parents can only be in so many places at once.

acadianabob · #14 11-10-2003, 02:50 PM

ramblin' wreck. you are obviously upset with your vehicle but you need to be a little nicer toward those that are trying to help you. personally, i'd never respond to another email from someone who reacted the way you did to Mark. an apology to mark would seem to be appropriate.

Beardoge · #15 11-10-2003, 06:42 PM

Yeah what he said!

Turn the key to on neutral and start it will work...

And the reason the interlock is there is because parents leaving there kids in a running car. Now all they need is a anti car jacking solenoid...