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Wont Shift out of Park when running


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bigjohn
User

Dec 19, 2011, 12:45 PM

Post #1 of 7 (2736 views)
Wont Shift out of Park when running Sign In

1995
Mercury
Grand Marquis
4.6 engine
136,000

I went to use the car this AM and when started in park it wont shift into drive or reverse, but with the key in the first position before the lights come on in the dash I can shift to neutral and then start the car and have the ability to shift to any position. If I put the running car back into park it wont shift again! At no time before today has it shown any problems of this type. Is this some type of interlock problem?

I just drove the car again and when I got back to the garage I put it in park and then was able to shift it thru all the gears twice before it locked up in park again!


(This post was edited by bigjohn on Dec 19, 2011, 1:07 PM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 19, 2011, 2:40 PM

Post #2 of 7 (2697 views)
Re: Wont Shift out of Park when running Sign In

 That would be called the shift interlock feature. It operates on the same circuit as the brake lights so the first thing you want to do is to make sure the brake lights are working when this problem is present. If the brake lights are working, that proves the circuit is good up to that point, then you'll have to get to the solenoid in the console. Disassemble as much as you have to to access the solenoid near the shifting mechanism. Us a 12v test light to test for power coming and going at the solenoid when the brake is applied. If power is arriving and switching and the solenoid is not triggering, the solenoid is bad and will have to be replaced.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



bigjohn
User

Dec 19, 2011, 8:54 PM

Post #3 of 7 (2649 views)
Re: Wont Shift out of Park when running Sign In

The brake lights don't work, I've purchased a new switch and will install it tomorrow and hope that solves the problem


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 20, 2011, 4:04 AM

Post #4 of 7 (2609 views)
Re: Wont Shift out of Park when running Sign In

Make sure the switch has power coming into it before wasting your time and money.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



bigjohn
User

Dec 20, 2011, 10:53 AM

Post #5 of 7 (2596 views)
Re: Wont Shift out of Park when running Sign In

     I tested for voltage at the plug that goes on the stoplight switch, no voltage with the key on or off. You mention a solenoid in the console, I don't have a console my car shifts on the steering column. can you tell me the location of the solenoid in my car?

Hey I found the problem! #1 fuse blown and that's the stop light fuse, replaced it and everything works! I was using my trailer and of course the trailer light plug in the trunk, I'll survey that situation with the trailer wiring for possible shorts that could have caused the fuse to blow. Meanwhile I'm going to get an extra package of fuses!


(This post was edited by bigjohn on Dec 20, 2011, 11:23 AM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 20, 2011, 1:59 PM

Post #6 of 7 (2580 views)
Re: Wont Shift out of Park when running Sign In

Yep, you've got it figured out now. Good thing you didn't change the switch first.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Dec 20, 2011, 1:59 PM)


bigjohn
User

Dec 20, 2011, 2:51 PM

Post #7 of 7 (2574 views)
Re: Wont Shift out of Park when running Sign In

HammerTime:

Thank You for all your help!

John







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