Automatuic gear stick locked in Park.

[Anley]

Cannot move gear stick out of PARK in a 1998 Explorer when engine is cold. Is this normal?

 

[techieman33]

It shouldn't be normal unless the steering wheel is locked.

 

[2TimingTom]

Cannot move gear stick out of PARK in a 1998 Explorer when engine is cold. Is this normal?

As in- once the engine warms up, you can shift out of PARK?

 

[Baddecision93]

Try checking your brake fluid level.
There's an override that won't allow the shifter to be moved out of park unless the brakes are properly engaged. If you are really low on fluid & it's cold the fluid will be denser (theoretically) lowering the level below the sensor.
Just an idea...

 

[2TimingTom]

Unless brake fluid behaves like water and expands when it gets cold.

 

[Baddecision93]

Unless brake fluid behaves like water and expands when it gets cold.

Brake fluid is a non-water substance, (glycol-ether or mineral oil based) at least according to Wiki, for what that's worth, lol.

It was just a thought. My buddy blew a brake line on his F-350 and couldn't get it out of park. He was freaking out until he realized that's all it was.

 

[Radop]

Ok I have a similar problem with my 98. I will run it down for you. When the explorer is run for a while i.e.: warmed up if you put it in park you will not be able to shift out of park. I have checked the transmission fluid it is fine. The shifter gets a rough feel to it when you pull it back to shift out of park but will not move. I disconnected the cable at the Transmission and can shift the transmission through all the gears by hand without a problem. The shifter will not move even disconnected from the transmission. Once it sits over night the selector will shift out of park no problems. So I have hooked it all back up and it shifts fine, N, R, and D until you put it back into park then it is stuck again.