EMERGENCY--wont shift out of park!!

[justin146]

I am currently stuck in the WalMart parking lot because my truck wont shift out of park. It cranks but just wont shift. Is the shift lock electronic or mechanical. Help please!!!!

THe truck is a 2000 v8.

 

[Robb]

The brake-shifter-lock is electrical. Check the fuse first.

edit: when mine went out on my F150, the brake lights wouldn't work either (same fuse), so that is an easy check maybe

 

[justin146]

well i just got it to shift. It will shift while the key is in the "on" position but not while the engine is running. well, now it will shift out of P if you shift RIGHT after it cranks, but not while it idles.

 

[justin146]

and my brake lights are working.

 

[justin146]

Do you know what fuse it is?

 

[Blee1099]

Look in the manual.. I don't have a V8 Explorer so the fuses may be different. What you can do is turn the key to the "ON" position and shift it into Neutral. Then turn the key to crank the motor and then put it in gear. That will get you moving.

 

[justin146]

If it wont work while running, why will it work when the engine is off? Wouldnt that be on the same fuse? My manual is at my parents house.

 

[Blee1099]

Cause essentially the shift interlock in Park is blocking it.. But in neutral it should work cause its not connected to Neutral.. I just tested it on my truck.

 

[justin146]

But if it is locked, how does it ever even get to neutral? Why does it operate differently while running?

 

[Blee1099]

Okay let me explain it. You turn the key to ON (without starting it), from there you hit the brake and shift into Neutral. Once in Neutral, you crank the motor over, It will start, now you put it in gear and it will move.

 

[justin146]

but, why cant I just hit the brake and **** it to Neutral while it is running. The key is in the same position. If the shift lock doesn't control the shifting while the truck is off, why will it not shift without hitting the brake. Obviously the shift lock is still operating, but in a different mode or something.

 

[Blee1099]

I suspect its either a fuse or the shift interlock system. If you look under your dash, you'll see a sort of sensor or module that is connected to the brake pedal mechanism. I would take a pic right now but I'm drinking.

 

[justin146]

I figured it out. When the truck is off, it gets the shift unlock signal from the brake light switch. When it is running it gets the signal from the brake pedal position switch. While installing my LED license plate illumination today I blew the fuse to the running lights. Not knowing what fuse this was, I checked them all. It seems that when I checked fuse 9(pedal position switch), I accidentally put it into slot 5, which is unused.... Replaced the fuse and it works perfectly. I guess when I left for walmart I shifted to R before the truck was all the way cranked.

 

[gijoecam]

As you guys already found out, with the key off, the shift interlock is disabled. That's why you can shift to neutral with the key in the unlock position. Once you reach the accessory position, the solenoid is energized, and the release is triggered by the brake switch input when you hit the brakes.

I wish there was a way to post the schematic for tha.... it's a very simple setup.

Glad it was just the fuse.

-Joe