This problem has been getting worse over the past couple of weeks. When I depress the brake pedal and start the truck, the shift lever won't unlock (it moves only a little bit toward me, but not far enough to shift from Park into another gear).
Five minutes of fiddling and MAYBE it will shift. Removing the #6 fuse allows shift. Replace fuse, start and drive off.

I pulled the plastic covers off the steering column and didn't see anything loose. Also checked the brake sensor. All appears ok. I have the cheap haynes guide and can't find the wire that directly connects.

Finally, it appears that when I move the shift lever and fiddle with it is when it engages, and not when I press harder on the brake, so my initial thought is that it's somewhere in the steering column area. Any suggestions or help. Or is this somthing I need to head to a dealer to have fixed (truck out of warranty). I am not very good with vehicles, so the fix can't be too complicated.

Thanks in advance for any help.

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98 Silver F150 S/C, 3.55 ls, 4.6L, LineX Bed Liner, Pioneer DEH-P6000, Polk EX's, MTX 6000 sub, Kenwood amp, Flipchip , door crack

 

Nightfall,

I am amost certain that there is actually a recall involving this problem from a few years ago and Ford will have to fix it regardless of warranty issues if it hasn't been addressed.
Regretably,I don't have the link but my truck was part of the recall.What was happening is that people would return the gear shift to park and the transmission would remain in gear anmd the truck would surge.
If you call you service manager he/she will know exactly what you're referring to.If they do not help you may want to call Ford as well.

Found it!!! www.f150online.com/resources/recall.cfm

[This message has been edited by AjRagno (edited 10-19-2000).]

 

Mine was recalled for inspection and further restraint of the shift linkage connection at the column. The "restraint" was a cable tie, to be sure the connection didn't pop off. I could have done THAT myself!

About the Brake - Shift Interlock, the first line in the manual is "Remove steering column"!
The solenoid looks like its near where the shift rod becomes a lever. It is held on by 3 screws. After pulling it off, a small clip is removed to further separate it from a metal piece. I don't know if the column really needs to be pulled to get at it or not, I didn't look on mine to see if the solenoid was visible or not. Under dash work on the drivers side is a bit strenuous (sp?) for these old bones (actually, the getting OUT of being upside down while hanging over the seat, while under the wheel is the problem!).

Unless you have a lot of skill, and work with the battery disconnected for at least 10 minutes first, I would suggest someone else work on it, due to column complexity and Airbag. Realize that it causes me great pain to recommend that someone take their truck in to be worked on.

 

Thanks for the information on the recall. I found the recall in the database and called Ford yesterday (before I pulled off the steering column cover)and my truck is not covered by the recall. Plus, the only problem that my truck demonstrates is getting from Park to any other gear...it goes into park just fine.

Granpa: "Where the shift rod becomes a lever"? Do you mean where it becomes the lever that I shift or are you talking about something nearer the actual transmission. This may seem like a stupid question but I truly know virtually nothing about vehicle maintenance. I love my truck but if I didn't need one I wouldn't own a vehicle because they are a pain. I did work yesterday with the battery disconnected and a 10 minute wait due to air bag issues (although the Haynes says only 2 minutes). Thanks also for your reply. I will look around the area of the shift lever and see if I see anything. The only exposed wire I could find (that wasn't buried in the steering column) was the overdrive wire...but it's hard to look all around the area whereas it's a lot easier to look in a specific place. Thanks again.

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98 Silver F150 S/C, 3.55 ls, 4.6L, LineX Bed Liner, Pioneer DEH-P6000, Polk EX's, MTX 6000 sub, Kenwood amp, Flipchip , door crack

 

One more ?

I always put my foot on the brake when I shift anyways. I don't know if I could do it any other way. Are there any additional reprucussions to just pulling the #6 fuse? (which disables the interlock)

I guess I should probably invest in one of those full Ford Manuals but they are Sooooo expensive.

AdvThanksance again for any help.



[This message has been edited by Nightfall (edited 10-19-2000).]

 

When you move the Shift Lever with your hand, that turns a shift rod in the column. Somewhere on the column, further down, there is a lever-like appendage that the Brake - Shift Actuator (electrical solenoid) works against. I'm just going by a floating diagram in the manual, its hard to tell whats up or down, or exactly where. But it should connect with the shift rod, not with the key cylinder rod, as that would be the ignition switch.
If fuse #6 only works the interlock, and nothing else you need quits too, then that should be OK. We lived for years without shift interlocks. But please be sure that it detents into "Park" properly, to avoid a running engine going for a drive in Reverse by itself! Ford&Linc.&Merc. had a big problem with that in the 70's. Some did not detent fully into Park sometimes, and went for a cruise. Lawsuits, crushed people. I saw two of them myself as a bystander, one was pretty close, as my back was turned.
Good luck on which ever you do!