2001 sport trac stuck in park

[Sfanelli01]

I have 2001 sport trac 4.0l 4x4 automatic it is stuck in park any thoughts on what's wrong . Thanks for any help

 

[colintrax]

Make sure the brake switch is working, there's also a solenoid that keeps the trans locked in park until the brake is activated

 

[Sfanelli01]

Thank you for your help . Do you know where the solenoid is located ?

 

[05dakotatrac]

sometimes when parked on a steep hill it puts pressure on the parking pawl causing it to be hard to shift out of park.

 

[colintrax]

I'm assuming it's truly stuck in park...
And no, try searching but first check the switch. Do the tail lights light up when the brake is depressed? If so, then check the solenoid.

 

[roamer37]

its very likely stuck on the parking pawl it happens if there is any hill where it is parked even if that is just a stone under one of the tires..

 

[colintrax]

OP have you fixed it?
If it was stuck because you're parked on a hill I'd suggest you set the parking brake EVERY time you put it in park.

 

[01STrunner]

You don't use the parking break in the north during winter (or when its cold). It could freeze and then you're screwed and not going anywhere. I've seen it happen more than once.

 

[colintrax]

^ good point. I forgot sport tracs have drum brakes. And I live in Georgia, so that wouldn't be an issue anyways.

 

[swshawaii]

^ good point. I forgot sport tracs have drum brakes. And I live in Georgia, so that wouldn't be an issue anyways.

#2 - 01-02 Sport Tracs came with drum brakes in the rear. In 03+ the Sport Tracs have rear disc brakes.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238632

 

[johnwayne77]

I had a somewhat similar problem, in that mine wouldn't always shift into PARK. Once in a while it would battle me to get it out of PARK as well. I took it to a transmision shop and they needed to adjust the shift linkage. It was about $65 for the job and hasn't been a problem since.