Gear Shift Stuck in Park

TLEE · 09-08-2009, 07:05 PM

Hello all I'm new the the site

I just purchased my 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer yesterday. It has 56,000 miles on it.. Today, after driving for about an hour, I made a stop and my gear shift wouldn't shift out of park. I finally got it shift and now everytime I put it in Park it does the same thing. I'm home now and I put it an Park and tried to shift out(just testing it out) and now it seems to be completely stuck. Has this ever happended to anyone? Is there anything I can do? I have to be to work in a few hours and I have no idea how I'm going to get there with my new baby stuck in par.lol

Thanks for your help

**BrooklynBay** · 09-08-2009, 08:33 PM

Welcome to this forum! There is an electric shift interlock that sometimes goes bad. It's controlled by the brake switch. First check to make sure that your brake lights are turning on when you have this problem. There is a TSB on the interlock mechanism. TSB 04-22-12 Increased effort to shift from drive to park: http://www.justanswer.com/uploads/fo...B_04-22-12.pdf
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...3&postcount=12

shaker1 · 09-09-2009, 03:39 AM

Same problem here. I have to take it in.

But, I discovered this: If you pull back on the shifter, before depressing the brake pedal, it usually allows everything to work. Maybe it is just mine, but it seem to be an adjustment issue.

Anyone know if these can get "loose", or if there is any adjustability to the switch interlock mechanism?

Lukas2009 · 09-09-2009, 05:10 AM

aaronajb1981 · 09-09-2009, 06:21 AM

In case of emergency, take out the rubber liner in the bottom of the cup holder. there will be a little square (i cant remember if there is a cover or not, if so remove it). With a long flat blade screw driver press down and it will manually unlock it until you can get it fixed.

spikedog · 09-24-2009, 09:31 AM

I had this problem on my '06 XLT. It took three trips to the dealer to fix it - total replacement of shifter mechanism. Wish I'd know about the screwdriver trick - I had to have it towed out of a tire shop when it locked up.

TLEE · 09-24-2009, 12:34 PM

Yeah that screwdriver trick helped out alot. I got it to the dealer and the shifter mechanism had to be replaced as well.

**BrooklynBay** · 09-24-2009, 06:48 PM

Thanks for the update!

TLEE · 09-24-2009, 06:56 PM

You're welcome. Sorry it took so long.. Spikedog's comment reminded me.

cmorcat · 12-20-2009, 10:27 AM

We have this problem at 43000 miles. The service mgr said that the problem was in the "sealed" shifter mechanism. I paid them $100 for the diagnosis and went home and opened the console to find the only problem is the little switch at the top of the previous picture. All we need to do is replace that little $5.00+/- switch and our troubles are over. Do not let them rip you off! All we need to do is find out who supplies the switches. Anyone have any guesses?

We also have that little leak in the top right corner seal of the radiator. For another $1200 I can buy a lot of coolant and just keep it topped off.

Sadly this is our 4th and last Explorer.

oldschool13 · 12-21-2009, 06:49 AM

same problem.

Lukas2009 · 12-21-2009, 06:54 AM

And what about fixing everything forever in the final position? As to be seen at the third photo above.

aaronajb1981 · 12-21-2009, 11:51 AM

There was a TSB on this issue, i dont know if it evern went to recall though.

You could simply remove it so that you dont need to worry about it, however if you shall choose to go this route it makes it so that you can just grab the shifter and shift it into gear at anytime when the truck is off.

cmorcat · 12-21-2009, 05:15 PM

I have considered that if I can't get a switch that I would just tape the safety block out of the way until the day we trade it in. I did get the part number of the wire harness that the switch is part of. It is 15A808. Ford won't sell it seperate from the shifter assembly. Maybe I'll check with the junk yards.

natty575 · 12-23-2009, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmorcat

We have this problem at 43000 miles. The service mgr said that the problem was in the "sealed" shifter mechanism. I paid them $100 for the diagnosis and went home and opened the console to find the only problem is the little switch at the top of the previous picture. All we need to do is replace that little $5.00+/- switch and our troubles are over. Do not let them rip you off! All we need to do is find out who supplies the switches. Anyone have any guesses?

A quick question....Is the button hard to press when the weather is warm, or if your exp has warmed up a little?

Mine seems to be fine if it is running for a couple of minutes, or if the outside temp is over 15c, although my hubby can depress it with brute force when it is cold...I am too much of a weakling

cmorcat · 12-23-2009, 06:05 PM

Is your Explorer a 2006? What you describe is not related to the problem that we're discussing in this thread. The only thing I can think of that is causing your problem would be the contact surface between the button that you squeeze and the rod inside the shifter that needs to slide downward. It may just be too worn where that contact occurs. To find out you would need to take the grip apart to see the mechanism. Maybe someone else on the board can advise you on that process.

natty575 · 12-24-2009, 04:31 AM

Thanks for the info, my brother has the Exp at the moment doing some work on it, so I'll mention it to him and see what he can do.

Oxygen · 12-24-2009, 10:28 AM

same problem happened on my 2000 XLS.. it ended up being the brake switch.. you can always put your truck into gear by turning the key one notch to the start position and then put it in neutral, then start it.. you can get it into gear like that if you had to get somewhere...

PEAR0119 · 12-10-2010, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Sorry, for bringing back an old thread but I have a 2006 XLT V6 that is experiencing this issue intermittently and is becoming more frequent.

I have the extended warranty from Ford, but its $100 deductible if covered under warranty. I was wondering which part in the pictures above needs to be replaced? Also, a part# would be much appreciated. The reason I'm asking is because if the part is only $5 I would much rather just get the part and put it in myself than paying Ford $100 to put in a $5 part.

*willied* · 12-10-2010, 01:07 PM

Did you not get a recall notice for it?

09-08-2009, 07:05 PM	#1
TLEE Wannabe Elite Explorer Ansonia, CT 2006 Explorer Eddie Bauer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Gear Shift Stuck in Park Hello all I'm new the the site I just purchased my 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer yesterday. It has 56,000 miles on it.. Today, after driving for about an hour, I made a stop and my gear shift wouldn't shift out of park. I finally got it shift and now everytime I put it in Park it does the same thing. I'm home now and I put it an Park and tried to shift out(just testing it out) and now it seems to be completely stuck. Has this ever happended to anyone? Is there anything I can do? I have to be to work in a few hours and I have no idea how I'm going to get there with my new baby stuck in par.lol Thanks for your help

09-08-2009, 08:33 PM	#2
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,677 Vehicle Specs	Welcome to this forum! There is an electric shift interlock that sometimes goes bad. It's controlled by the brake switch. First check to make sure that your brake lights are turning on when you have this problem. There is a TSB on the interlock mechanism. TSB 04-22-12 Increased effort to shift from drive to park: http://www.justanswer.com/uploads/fo...B_04-22-12.pdf http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...3&postcount=12 __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

09-24-2009, 06:48 PM	#8
BrooklynBay Aerostar Forum Moderator Brooklyn, NY 88 89 93 95 96 Aerostars Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 45,677 Vehicle Specs	Thanks for the update! __________________ My list of useful threads. My photo gallery. My product reviews. My list of items for sale. Aerostar owners thread. Aerostar parts work in Explorers, Rangers, and Bronco II thread. History of the Aerostar thread. Aerostar Forum. New Members Forum. Ford/Lincoln/Mercury Forum.

12-20-2009, 10:27 AM	#10
cmorcat Wannabe Elite Explorer Oxford, MA '06 Eddie Bauer Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3 Vehicle Specs	$1200 or $5.00! We have this problem at 43000 miles. The service mgr said that the problem was in the "sealed" shifter mechanism. I paid them $100 for the diagnosis and went home and opened the console to find the only problem is the little switch at the top of the previous picture. All we need to do is replace that little $5.00+/- switch and our troubles are over. Do not let them rip you off! All we need to do is find out who supplies the switches. Anyone have any guesses? We also have that little leak in the top right corner seal of the radiator. For another $1200 I can buy a lot of coolant and just keep it topped off. Sadly this is our 4th and last Explorer.

12-21-2009, 05:15 PM	#14
cmorcat Wannabe Elite Explorer Oxford, MA '06 Eddie Bauer Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3 Vehicle Specs	God bless duct tape. I have considered that if I can't get a switch that I would just tape the safety block out of the way until the day we trade it in. I did get the part number of the wire harness that the switch is part of. It is 15A808. Ford won't sell it seperate from the shifter assembly. Maybe I'll check with the junk yards.

09-09-2009, 03:39 AM	#3
shaker1 Wannabe Elite Explorer Algonquin, IL 2006 Explorer XLT 4X4 4.0 Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 261 Vehicle Specs	Same problem here. I have to take it in. But, I discovered this: If you pull back on the shifter, before depressing the brake pedal, it usually allows everything to work. Maybe it is just mine, but it seem to be an adjustment issue. Anyone know if these can get "loose", or if there is any adjustability to the switch interlock mechanism?

09-09-2009, 05:10 AM	#4
Lukas2009 Wannabe Elite Explorer Cologne, Germany 2007 Eddie Bauer V6 Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 268 Vehicle Specs

09-09-2009, 06:21 AM	#5
aaronajb1981 Wannabe Elite Explorer Minneapolis, MN '06 XLS Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 521 Vehicle Specs	In case of emergency, take out the rubber liner in the bottom of the cup holder. there will be a little square (i cant remember if there is a cover or not, if so remove it). With a long flat blade screw driver press down and it will manually unlock it until you can get it fixed.

09-24-2009, 09:31 AM	#6
spikedog Wannabe Elite Explorer Wyoming '06 XLT Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 25 Vehicle Specs	I had this problem on my '06 XLT. It took three trips to the dealer to fix it - total replacement of shifter mechanism. Wish I'd know about the screwdriver trick - I had to have it towed out of a tire shop when it locked up.

09-24-2009, 12:34 PM	#7
TLEE Wannabe Elite Explorer Ansonia, CT 2006 Explorer Eddie Bauer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Yeah that screwdriver trick helped out alot. I got it to the dealer and the shifter mechanism had to be replaced as well.

09-24-2009, 06:56 PM	#9
TLEE Wannabe Elite Explorer Ansonia, CT 2006 Explorer Eddie Bauer Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	You're welcome. Sorry it took so long.. Spikedog's comment reminded me.

12-21-2009, 06:49 AM	#11
oldschool13 Wannabe Elite Explorer Texas 2006 Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 1 Vehicle Specs	same problem.

12-21-2009, 06:54 AM	#12
Lukas2009 Wannabe Elite Explorer Cologne, Germany 2007 Eddie Bauer V6 Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 268 Vehicle Specs	And what about fixing everything forever in the final position? As to be seen at the third photo above.

12-21-2009, 11:51 AM	#13
aaronajb1981 Wannabe Elite Explorer Minneapolis, MN '06 XLS Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 521 Vehicle Specs	There was a TSB on this issue, i dont know if it evern went to recall though. You could simply remove it so that you dont need to worry about it, however if you shall choose to go this route it makes it so that you can just grab the shifter and shift it into gear at anytime when the truck is off.

12-23-2009, 06:05 PM	#16
cmorcat Wannabe Elite Explorer Oxford, MA '06 Eddie Bauer Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 3 Vehicle Specs	shifter problem Is your Explorer a 2006? What you describe is not related to the problem that we're discussing in this thread. The only thing I can think of that is causing your problem would be the contact surface between the button that you squeeze and the rod inside the shifter that needs to slide downward. It may just be too worn where that contact occurs. To find out you would need to take the grip apart to see the mechanism. Maybe someone else on the board can advise you on that process.

12-24-2009, 04:31 AM	#17
natty575 Wannabe Elite Explorer Wiltshire, UK 1998 XLT Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 13 Vehicle Specs	Thanks for the info, my brother has the Exp at the moment doing some work on it, so I'll mention it to him and see what he can do. __________________ 98 Explorer XLT 4.0L with Romano SGS LPG-56p litre My Exp http://image4.drive.123-reg.co.uk/I/...260441631.JPEG

12-24-2009, 10:28 AM	#18
Oxygen Wannabe Elite Explorer USA 03 XLT Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 309 Vehicle Specs	same problem happened on my 2000 XLS.. it ended up being the brake switch.. you can always put your truck into gear by turning the key one notch to the start position and then put it in neutral, then start it.. you can get it into gear like that if you had to get somewhere... __________________ 03' XLT CURRENT RIP 2004-2011 199,600 00' XLS

12-10-2010, 01:07 PM	#20
willied Elite Explorer Columbus, GA 2006 XLT V8 Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 978 Vehicle Specs	Did you not get a recall notice for it?