Gear shift lever / selector binding

[Coasty]

Recently bought a 1998 4.0L automatic tranny explorer and the shifter is difficult to move between gears and there is no distinct detent for each gear. Any initial thoughts on what it could be? The transmission functions good once you get it into the gear, i think its just a shifting issue.

 

[BrooklynBay]

You have to check the shift cable linkage for any obstructions. Disconnect the cable, and see if it's still stiff. If so, then it's a problem with the steering column shift or the cable, and not in the transmission. If it feels loose, then it's in the transmission.

 

[Turdle]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278174&highlight=bolt+floor

Read through all the links

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Coasty]

Thanks for the quick replies! I'm going to start tackling this issue Friday. I recently bought it for $550.00. It only has 105,000 mi but it also has an unknown brake fluid dissappearing trick that caused the prior owner to give up on it.

 

[Coasty]

Ok so i disconnected the shifter cable and it feels loose. The problem looks like its in the transmission. Anyone know what the problem could be in the tranny? There looks like a little electrical box on the outside of the transmission that the cable attaches to, could this be the problem?

 

[Coasty]

I did a little looking... i guess that part is called the transmission range sensor, could this be causing the problems i described?

 

[BrooklynBay]

I've never heard of this part causing a problem like this, but anything is possible. Mark the position, then remove it, and try to shift. You could try to move the inside of the part manually to see if it's binding.

 

[Lmarsch36]

I've never heard of this part causing a problem like this, but anything is possible. Mark the position, then remove it, and try to shift. You could try to move the inside of the part manually to see if it's binding.

The transmission range sensor (also referred to as the neutral safety switch) was the cause for me on my 2005 Explorer Sport Trac. When I removed it, I found the o-ring on the back side of the sensor had slipped part way out causing it to bind up. Replacing the Neutral Safety Switch did the trick.