Shifter not going in Park. Bushings replaced, torxs tightened up. What else could be done?

[Maxmax19773]

Hi guys had this problem for a while And tomorrow having a day off and wanna work on it. Can't get shifter into park . Sometimes it is going into park and 2-3 times a day it doesn't. Sick of it. Plus I am having stalling issues and it's even more "fun " searching for neutral or park on traffic lights or whatever it happens) so I need some help on both things. Shifter - I replaced the bushings and tightened 2 torx bolts holding the linkage, one was kind of loose and the other was tight. What else can I do? I removed transmission when I was replacing timing guides- maybe I missed up something? I found post that shifter could be adjusted/aligned with some weight attached to it and being in D position. Is that something worth trying? I did not get clarity on how to do the whole process yet ( probably got to read it few times) . Second question is the wire that might causing the stalling issue, I replaced the connector on crank position sensor and it reduced stalling issue I would say considerably less stalling than it was. So now I am thinking this wire got brittle somewhere and still time to time gives me a hard time. So I want to get to it and replace the part of it which goes somewhere behind the alternator or at least to get there to see in what condition it is. Is anyone know what should I move other than alternator to have a good look at it . I have whole day tomorrow to work on it and need your wisdom and experience. Thank you.Max

 

[wollimann]

Sounds like the transmission range sensor could be misaligned.

https://charm.li/Ford/2002/Explorer%20Sport%204WD%20V6-4.0L%20VIN%20E/Repair%20and%20Diagnosis/Transmission%20and%20Drivetrain/Automatic%20Transmission%2FTransaxle/Sensors%20and%20Switches%20-%20A%2FT/Transmission%20Position%20Sensor%2FSwitch/Service%20and%20Repair/

Shift gauge adjustment correct?

https://charm.li/Ford/2002/Explorer%20Sport%204WD%20V6-4.0L%20VIN%20E/Repair%20and%20Diagnosis/Transmission%20and%20Drivetrain/Automatic%20Transmission%2FTransaxle/Shifter%20A%2FT/Adjustments/

shift cable adjustment

https://charm.li/Ford/2002/Explorer%20Sport%204WD%20V6-4.0L%20VIN%20E/Repair%20and%20Diagnosis/Transmission%20and%20Drivetrain/Automatic%20Transmission%2FTransaxle/Shift%20Linkage/Shift%20Cable/Adjustments/

Every try it's worth to get the correct alignment. I would pop off the shift cable from tranny and first have a look at the transmission range sensor and if you can manually pull the tranny lever in its positions.
Then looking at the shifter inside (everything goes smooth) and adjust the gauge with the little plastic wheel.

Regards Wolfgang

 

[amj441]

I would double check the shift cable adjustment. at a certain point the plastic retainer that holds the shift linkage in adjust ment just breaks and causes the linkage to just float around the adjuster. if you have replaced the shifter bushing on the cable by the transmission then you may just have the cable out of adjustment.

 

[410Fortune]

Wolfgang has you covered

The column shifter and transmission shifter as well as the dtrs are aligned with everything in neutral
Because the N is the closest to middle of the shifting P R N D 2 1

If that doesn’t work I would drop the steering column down and have a look at your shifter assembly, something could be binding
Because it was loose for a long time a bracket or the park interlock or bushing could be binding up

 

[Maxmax19773]

Ok. Hi guys. I can’t move shifter nor turn the key. Stock at parking lot. Help!!!!

 

[Maxmax19773]

Here’s video

 

[Maxmax19773]

Made it home . Wiggling steering wheel and shifter help unlock the ignition lock and I could start it . White pice that attaches shifting cable to steering column is broken, I think it causes the problem. I secured it with the smallest clamp but it not fixed the issue. Is there any chance to buy it new? Or only junk yards? I took a picture of it but it’s kind of blurry. I appreciate your posts and help. It’s not shifting into park so I will keep working on it.

 

[wollimann]

Is there any chance to buy it new?

I think the chances are very small, but which white piece do you talking about?
Here some pictures of our 97 linkage.

White plastic part for the gauge alignment

Point where cable is attached to bracket

Steering lever linkage to cable

 

[amj441]

Yeah, If your key ever gets stuck like that again, use one hand to press up on the shifter and lift it up while using the other to turn the key. I usually use my left hand the reach around the wheel from the left side and lift the shifter while turning the key with my right. Looks like you're in for a shifting column "rebuild" like i am. like in wollimans first picture above, youll strip the clamshell off and go to the top of the shifter assembly and replace the shifter tube bushings and lubricate the shift tube. you can use silicone grease

for that white plastic piece for the gauge alignment, I believe you can still order a metal replacement one from dorman.

youre steering lock got stuck all you have to do is turn the steering wheel in one of either 2 directions a little bit to relieve pressure on the lock so that the key can turn and unlock it.

 

[410Fortune]

I would drop the column down and have a look at the entire shifter assembly

Once you get the knee guard out of the way there are only 4ea 15mm nut that hold your column up and in place
You can access the entire column shifter bushings bolts park interlock all of it right there

 

[Maxmax19773]

Hi , I tried to post pictures of it with no success. It’s holding the cable by bolt to the steering column. I don’t know why I can’t attach pictures of it. I think the chances are very small, but which white piece do you talking about?
Hear some pictures of our 97 linkage.

White plastic part for the gauge alignment
View attachment 464324

Point where cable is attached to bracket
View attachment 464325

Steering lever linkage to cable
View attachment 464326

I think the chances are very small, but which white piece do you talking about?
Here some pictures of our 97 linkage.

White plastic part for the gauge alignment
View attachment 464324

Point where cable is attached to bracket
View attachment 464325

Steering lever linkage to cable
View attachment 464326

I think the chances are very small, but which white piece do you talking about?
Here some pictures of our 97 linkage.

White plastic part for the gauge alignment
View attachment 464324

Point where cable is attached to bracket
View attachment 464325

Steering lever linkage to cable
View attachment 464326

 

[Maxmax19773]

Yeah, If your key ever gets stuck like that again, use one hand to press up on the shifter and lift it up while using the other to turn the key. I usually use my left hand the reach around the wheel from the left side and lift the shifter while turning the key with my right. Looks like you're in for a shifting column "rebuild" like i am. like in wollimans first picture above, youll strip the clamshell off and go to the top of the shifter assembly and replace the shifter tube bushings and lubricate the shift tube. you can use silicone grease

for that white plastic piece for the gauge alignment, I believe you can still order a metal replacement one from dorman.

youre steering lock got stuck all you have to do is turn the steering wheel in one of either 2 directions a little bit to relieve pressure on the lock so that the key can turn and unlock it.

Any chance of part number or proper name of it? I will look for it

 

[Maxmax19773]

I would drop the column down and have a look at the entire shifter assembly

Once you get the knee guard out of the way there are only 4ea 15mm nut that hold your column up and in place
You can access the entire column shifter bushings bolts park interlock all of it right there

Hi . I just replaced booshings , and didn’t put all this covers back. I can drop it again when I’m off . When I drop it off what am I looking for? It still a mystery for me how all this shifting work. And what to look for?

 

[Maxmax19773]

Yeah, If your key ever gets stuck like that again, use one hand to press up on the shifter and lift it up while using the other to turn the key. I usually use my left hand the reach around the wheel from the left side and lift the shifter while turning the key with my right. Looks like you're in for a shifting column "rebuild" like i am. like in wollimans first picture above, youll strip the clamshell off and go to the top of the shifter assembly and replace the shifter tube bushings and lubricate the shift tube. you can use silicone grease

for that white plastic piece for the gauge alignment, I believe you can still order a metal replacement one from dorman.

youre steering lock got stuck all you have to do is turn the steering wheel in one of either 2 directions a little bit to relieve pressure on the lock so that the key can turn and unlock it.

That’s how I unlocked it . It was kind of scary experience. ) windows down) raining) phones battery almost dead) . Felt great when it unlocked) and I was able to get home

 

[Maxmax19773]

I think the chances are very small, but which white piece do you talking about?
Here some pictures of our 97 linkage.

White plastic part for the gauge alignment
View attachment 464324

Point where cable is attached to bracket
View attachment 464325

Steering lever linkage to cable
View attachment 464326

 

[Maxmax19773]

 

[judy007]

Hi guys had this problem for a while And tomorrow having a day off and wanna work on it. Can't get shifter into park . Sometimes it is going into park and 2-3 times a day it doesn't. Sick of it. Plus I am having stalling issues and it's even more "fun " searching for neutral or park on traffic lights or whatever it happens) so I need some help on both things. Shifter - I replaced the bushings and tightened 2 torx bolts holding the linkage, one was kind of loose and the other was tight. What else can I do? I removed transmission when I was replacing timing guides- maybe I missed up something? I found post that shifter could be adjusted/aligned with some weight attached to it and being in D position. Is that something worth trying? I did not get clarity on how to do the whole process yet ( probably got to read it few times) . Second question is the wire that might causing the stalling issue, I replaced the connector on crank position sensor and it reduced stalling issue I would say considerably less stalling than it was. So now I am thinking this wire got brittle somewhere and still time to time gives me a hard time. So I want to get to it and replace the part of it which goes somewhere behind the alternator or at least to get there to see in what condition it is. Is anyone know what should I move other than alternator to have a good look at it . I have whole day tomorrow to work on it and need your wisdom and experience. Thank you.Max

Best wishes. I am experiencing these events with my 2000 explorer. I have replaced shifter bushings, torque screws and neutral safety switch and vehicle still won't go into Park, nor would it even give a crank in Neutral.
Not sure if the neutral switch is aligned correctly.
Another member here, suggested to replace the ignition switch and not key cylinder.
Please, continue to update your trials and success.
Best wishes
Judy

 

[410Fortune]

That little white plastic thing is only the adjuster for the orange needle on the gear indicator

The column shifter assembly is just that, a whole assembly on top of the steering
Column
Once the bushings come loose all of the bolts come loose not just the ones you can reach and see

There is also a brake interlock and a shifter gate that keeps everything aligned and adjusted
You have to drop the steering g column down to access it, similar to replacing the bushings

Once you do that you will then have a larger knowledge of how the whole
Column shifter assembly works
I have tons of pictures of this but have to search my threads and phone for them

 

[Maxmax19773]

ThatThanks for clarifying the white plastic thing purpose. Brake interlock and shifter gate- where are they? What can I do with them? I never put anything back after replacing the bushings so I can drop column off quickly. Honestly I still have no idea how all this shifting work even after I replaced bushings and even spending some time trying to learn more))) after I replaced bushings shifting were amazing for maybe 2-3 days. I am waiting for day I will not be working to get back to the issue. I don't know how much labor involved and how much time I need to work on it and it is mainly what stops me from getting there. I really appreciate your input and your wisdom. Thank you. ( pictures would definitely help) little white plastic thing is only the adjuster for the orange needle on the gear indicator

The column shifter assembly is just that, a whole assembly on top of the steering
Column
Once the bushings come loose all of the bolts come loose not just the ones you can reach and see

There is also a brake interlock and a shifter gate that keeps everything aligned and adjusted
You have to drop the steering g column down to access it, similar to replacing the bushings

Once you do that you will then have a larger knowledge of how the whole
Column shifter assembly works
I have tons of pictures of this but have to search my threads and phone for them

Thank you Fortune410.

That little white plastic thing is only the adjuster for the orange needle on the gear indicator

The column shifter assembly is just that, a whole assembly on top of the steering
Column
Once the bushings come loose all of the bolts come loose not just the ones you can reach and see

There is also a brake interlock and a shifter gate that keeps everything aligned and adjusted
You have to drop the steering g column down to access it, similar to replacing the bushings

Once you do that you will then have a larger knowledge of how the whole
Column shifter assembly works
I have tons of pictures of this but have to search my threads and phone for them

That little white plastic thing is only the adjuster for the orange needle on the gear indicator

The column shifter assembly is just that, a whole assembly on top of the steering
Column
Once the bushings come loose all of the bolts come loose not just the ones you can reach and see

There is also a brake interlock and a shifter gate that keeps everything aligned and adjusted
You have to drop the steering g column down to access it, similar to replacing the bushings

Once you do that you will then have a larger knowledge of how the whole
Column shifter assembly works
I have tons of pictures of this but have to search my threads and phone for them

 

[Maxmax19773]

Thank you Fortune410.Thanks for clarifying the white plastic thing purpose. Brake interlock and shifter gate- where are they? What can I do with them? I never put anything back after replacing the bushings so I can drop column off quickly. Honestly I still have no idea how all this shifting work even after I replaced bushings and even spending some time trying to learn more))) after I replaced bushings shifting were amazing for maybe 2-3 days. I am waiting for day I will not be working to get back to the issue. I don't know how much labor involved and how much time I need to work on it and it is mainly what stops me from getting there. I really appreciate your input and your wisdom. Thank you. ( pictures would definitely help)