Shift Lever Problem

[ctate2]

I just bought a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport, and I was having a little bit of an issue with it. I have searched around, but it seems that the other people with the problem were having a problem starting their ex because of the shift lever. I just have a concern that whenever I put the car into reverse the shift lever kinda snaps into the gear. It doesnt feel as smooth as when I shift into Drive or Park. Any suggestions of what it could be and what needs to be fixed. Im not very mechanically inlined so I dont know much about fixing cars.

 

[koda2000]

start by checking to see if the 2 torx bolts that hold the shifter to the steering column are in place and tight. to see them clearly you can remove the lower dash panel trim and the metal plate that's under it. while you're in there, you'll see a small plastic thumb wheel that adjusts the PRNDL pointer (if yours doesn't line up, now's the time to adjust it). both of these problems are pretty common, but i'm not sure if they'll address your issue.

 

[ctate2]

After having the car for a week it didn't go away. Sometimes I notice when I put the car in Park the little thing that says which gear your in (not sure what its called) is right on the P. Other times when I put the car park it is to the right of the P. Not sure why it does this, and it doesn't really change positions in the other gears except when I put it in reverse and it snaps into position like I said in the original post.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Did you check what koda suggested? It's not going to go away on it's own...

 

[ctate2]

I figured that if I am going to have to take stuff apart to see it Ill just take it to my mechanic when I get my oil changed and tires rotated. I don't have many if any tools and am not mechanically inclined.

 

[Sicarii]

You probably don't need to take anything apart... http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198087