2002 Explorer Limited Sticks in Park

[TN family gal]

2002 Explorer Limited Sticks in Park, especially if parked on a slant, sometimes when level.
I turn the wheels as much as possible. If that doesn't help, I get out, push & bounce the body as much as possible & so far this has helped get it out of Park.
I have 78K miles, new Michelin tires, new brake pads with lifetime warranty, new alignment, and Ford Dealer replaced an electronic thing because it was locking in 4WD last month.
I had the "sticking in park" problem before that electronic fix. I thought they might be related.
Is there anything I can do or is this one for the Ford Dealer repair?

I searched for a post of this problem but got a white screen.
I'm posting a new thread because when I click to 'start with my first post', I don't get an option for a new post, just the same screen.
Thanks much for any advice.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

that sux bout ur limited but anyways welcoem to the forum we are here to help ya out

 

[Dopler174]

Next time you park it, before letting off the brake pedal with your foot, put the emergency brake on. That should help.

 

[gijoecam]

When you start it and step on the brakes, can you pull the lever back towards you and it's just tight to pull it out of park, or does the lever not move? What I'm trying to determine is if it's a problem with the brake-shift interlock, or a problem with the excessive pressure on the parking pawl in the transmission?

-Joe

 

[TN family gal]

I can pull the lever back toward me but if it's too tight to to pull out of park, I get out and shake or push the Explorer. Then it is still tight but finally comes out of park.
It does not stick while parked in my level garage, just when I'm parked on even a slight slant. I noticed it sticking while fairly level at the mall once.
Does this make it a brake-shift interlock problem? Will it be a major fix?
Thanks much for your attention, sounds like you're on the right track !

 

[gijoecam]

No, this is a simple matter of operator error. When you put it in park on a hill and take your foot off the brakes, the weight of the vehicle rolls back and is held by the park pawl in the transmission. When you try to take it out of park, you're manually disengaging the park pawl, and with the weight of the vehicle resting on it, it's difficult to do.

As Dopler already mentioned, you need to set the parking brake before you put it in park. That will allow the parking brake to hold the weight of the vehicle instead of the transmission park pawl.

It's operating normally, just being difficult due to operator error.

 

[TN family gal]

Many thanks to both of you. I've driven it daily for 7 yrs before I developed an operator error! Glad my Explorer doesn't need fixing, just me. I'll have to remember to put that emergency brake on before I put it in park when not level.
Thanks again ;-)

 

[wood1]

It does seem strange that it just started after 7 years though... any new drivers been driving it and maybe tried to stick it in park without the vehicle coming to a complete stop? The pawl may be slightly bent... I too wondered if the interlock might be malfunctioning but if getting out and shaking the truck works, that seems unlikely.

 

[TN family gal]

Need to correct myself: This 2002 Explorer's only 6 yrs old; we also have a 2001 Ford Ranger & it's 7 yrs old. I guess that's why I made the mistake in years with the Explorer.

When I told my husband of my user error, he reminded me I have developed arthritis, carpal tunnel, &/or tendonitis in my wrists. My hands & wrists are much weaker this spring than ever before. I am also occasionally having problems turning outdoor water spigots, TV remote, anything you have to grip.

So perhaps I didn't have the problem with the Explorer gear shift on a slope in prior years because I didn't have the wrist problem. I just automatically suspected the Explorer had a problem. And I didn't realize I had lost that much strength. duh......

Thanks so very much to all 3 of you!