Gear shift is stuck

[vmorris]

I hope someone can help me out. This morning, I went to start my 1997 Explorer and the battery was dead (one of the kids left the door open). Anyway, I jumped it off of my other car and was on my way. After church, I came out to start it and it didn't turn over. At this point, I tried putting it in Neutral so I could push it back a bit to get another jump. It wouldn't shift into gear. So, the person that was jumping car manuvered and we got it started (all fine and dandy). But, when I tried to shift it to back up it would not shift into gear. The gear shift is locked. I read the manual and it said to take the key out put the emergency brake on. Then, it said to turn key to off position and shift to neutral, it still wouldn't shift. The brake lights are working, so I don't think it is the fuse, which was the other suggestion. I looked at all the fuses, but didn't see any that were bad. Please help, car is stuck at church....

 

[Eneurb]

It maybe hung up on the park pawl. Try having someone rock it back and forth as you try to shift out of park.

 

[l1tech]

if you just barely...and I mean barely...like 1/16 of an inch, turn the key from the off position you should be able to shift