Pre-1997 Models

Column shifter won't move out of park

Old Aug 9, 2006 | 08:26 PM
  #1  
fordtrucksonly's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Question Column shifter won't move out of park

I was backing a trailer load of brush out of my yard and smacked a trailer lite out. After that, the shifter lever won't move out of park, and the ABS lite flashes on the dash, as does the airbag lite. I took of the column cover off, and except for normal 135k wear, things look o.k. And while the battery is disconnected, the lever will move to all positions freely. So does the connecter at the transmission. It looks to be an electrical problem, but I'm challenged there. I'd appreciate any ideas before coughing up big repair bucks. Thanks. `By the way, it's a '94 F150. No tilt column.
 

Last edited by fordtrucksonly; Aug 10, 2006 at 11:04 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 01:06 AM
  #2  
Ford4ever's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 0
From: Lockport, NY USA
Check your brake lights, do they work? Chances are when you busted the trailer light you shorted the circuit and blew your stop light fuse. Ever notice that you can only shift out of park when your foot is on the brake? That is controlled by the brake light switch. If your stop light fuse is blown that switch gets no power. It is also an input to the ABS so that is why that warning light is on.

-Jon
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 01:31 PM
  #3  
fordtrucksonly's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
column shifter.

Originally Posted by Ford4ever
Check your brake lights, do they work? Chances are when you busted the trailer light you shorted the circuit and blew your stop light fuse. Ever notice that you can only shift out of park when your foot is on the brake? That is controlled by the brake light switch. If your stop light fuse is blown that switch gets no power. It is also an input to the ABS so that is why that warning light is on.

-Jon
I'm new to this. Thanks for the tip. I checked the fuses under the hood, and they're o.k. I don't know about the relays. I kinda focused on them and haven't checked the dash fuse, so that's next. Again thanks for the help.
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 02:11 PM
  #4  
adrianspeeder's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,008
Likes: 27
From: Dover AFB DE / Harrisburg PA
So do the brake lights work?

Adrianspeeder
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 03:31 PM
  #5  
stopper's Avatar
Suspended
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Same thing happend to me. It is a fuse from the fuse pannel by your left knee. I was terrified of the problem until i found it was a cheap and easy fix. WHEWW!!
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 03:44 PM
  #6  
fordtrucksonly's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by adrianspeeder
So do the brake lights work?

Adrianspeeder
I didn't check. But I will. Sometimes I forget to 'Keep It Simple.' I appreciate the help and I'll let you know.
Thanks!
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 03:46 PM
  #7  
fordtrucksonly's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by stopper
Same thing happend to me. It is a fuse from the fuse pannel by your left knee. I was terrified of the problem until i found it was a cheap and easy fix. WHEWW!!
Thanks man, I was too freaked out and figured that it was going to be a big hairy problem. I'll let you know.
Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 03:53 PM
  #8  
fordtrucksonly's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by stopper
Same thing happend to me. It is a fuse from the fuse pannel by your left knee. I was terrified of the problem until i found it was a cheap and easy fix. WHEWW!!
I think I'm figuring out how this service works.
I was too freaked out about the shifter to think it maybe was a simple deal. I'll check those out and let you know.
Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 04:41 PM
  #9  
Mr. Logger's Avatar
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Fuse #13 is burnt up. It's in the panel by your left knee as someone said. I just fixed this problem on my truck.
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 10:47 PM
  #10  
fordtrucksonly's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Hey! You were right! It was the first fuse I should have checked. Everything works now!
Thanks man.
 
Reply
Old Aug 10, 2006 | 10:48 PM
  #11  
fordtrucksonly's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Got it! It was fuse #13. I appreciate the response!
Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2006 | 08:20 AM
  #12  
adrianspeeder's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,008
Likes: 27
From: Dover AFB DE / Harrisburg PA
Good work!
 
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2006 | 11:15 AM
  #13  
projectSHO89's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Year Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,295
Likes: 125
From: St. Louis (Out in the woods)
If your truck came with factory speed control, better check your deactivator switch on the master cylinder if you haven't had your recall performed.

Steve
 
Reply


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:07 PM.