02 Explorer v8 shift lever help required

[DAV8IE]

Hi,I am urgently looking for help regarding a recently purchased 02 Explorer Limited 4.6l V8. I had to leave it in the drive last night with the key in the ignition, a car thiefs dream and obviouly don't want to have to do this again.

My wife got into the car yesterday and the battery was dead, didn't have jump leads so used my 24hour road side assist and they came out and checked the battery, informed me it's not holding a charge and have fitted a 'donor' battery to get me going until they get a new one (65D).

Since this I can no longer remove the key from the ignition , I can move it in all 4 locations and start the car but cannot remove it when switched off, at the same time I have noticed that the shift lever (floor mounted) can be moved into all locations wether I hold in the release button or not, it also does this wether I have the brake pedal depressed or not also, I thought it had a brake-shift interlock (my brake lights are working okay). It does this with the engine running and with the engine off. I assume the transmission is okay as I can start the car no problem and it drives in 'D' no problem and will go into other gears no problem but it is not 'locking' into the park position.

I may be way off here but I was thinking that maybe the 'donor' battery was not powerfull enough to switch the appropriate relays/solenoids (but it starts the car over). This is my first automatic and I would much appreciate any help/advice that anyone can give with regards to fixing. I have already had to replace the radiator which had a small leak at the side tank and now a new battery (65D not installed yet, should be later tonight or tomorrow), or will the above issues be resolved once the new 65D battery is installed? Please help. Thanks in advance.

 

[DAV8IE]

Sorry, forgot to ask if it may be that one of the fuses has blown in the main fuse panel under the drivers side due to the battery issue and is affecting the circuit of these issues?Thanks

 

[DAV8IE]

Had to leave overnight with the key in it again.Anybody know how to fix this one? Looks like I am going to have to take it in soon to get fixed before it gets stolen. Thanks

 

[DAV8IE]

1

 

[Blee1099]

It may be related to this..
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums//showthread.php?t=174666

 

[SVO]

Ben the link you posted looks like the opposite problem to the one here, either way, it is either a shift interlock issue or the tumblers in the key lock are damaged, and that could be from an excessively over loaded key chain (more than 1oz. in weight).

The loaner battery will have nothing to do with this.

As for a fuse, well grab that owners manual and get to checking.

More than likely you are having a mechanical issue that is causing the key not to be released.

As for the draw (causing the battery to die) you to need to preform a parasitic draw test with a digital VOM.


There again if any of this is over your head, take it to a shop.





Jeff - :navajo:

 

[Blee1099]

dunno going on lack of sleep here..

 

[DAV8IE]

Thanks for the input, and SVO, no its not over my head, if you had read my introduction in the 'new forums' section you would see that I am a mechatronic engineer, I just didn't want to pull my truck to bits to find out there was an easier solution and the tumblers in the ignition was the first thing that I had ruled out in my process of illimination. It may be my first 'explorer' but not my first mechanical instrument.
Anyway, I took it back to the garage that I purchased from and they kindly had their electrical technician look at it and he has since replaced the solenoid under the centre console that has fixed the problem and finally got my key released, it would not release the key as it was not receiving the electrical signal required from the 'park' position (due to the faulty solenoid), which explains why I could move it into any gear.
It has now been repaired and is now locking back into the 'park' position no problem and most importantly is now releasing my key (FU car thieves). Thanks for your input and I hope this helps somebody else in the same situation, if your key is not releasing have this looked at first, also it never cost me anything as I seem to have purchased the truck from a decent dealer (very hard to find these days). Now I just need to get the handbrake looked at and hopefully repaired under the existing warranty (only if its the adjusters). Once again thanks and I will be logging/reporting any future fixes to hopefully help anybody else out, what a great forum. Thanks.