2004 Stuck in Park

[Pantera2077]

Good morning.

Title says it.
Did some searching and found a few threads about this.

Car starts and runs.
Column gear select.
Brake lights work - Can the switch still be bad if I have brake lights?
Neutral safety switch??? Pulled lever off and still does not move on the column.
Some threads talk about an override button under the column. I certainly do not see it and the only plug under the column cover goes back to the firewall.

A thread said shift interlock solenoid and there were some videos on YouTube on that, but they were years up to 2003. Searching RockAuto does not show a part for a shift interlock solenoid for a 2004.

Any thoughts?

 

[Trainmaster]

There will be a way to momentarily over ride the shift interlock solenoid, which your truck should have with a common tool. The instructions to do this should be in the owner's manual. Third generation trucks have a small removable cover on the shifter that's removed and reveals a hole to poke a screwdriver.

Of course if you're parked on a hill or against a curb the parking sprang may be jammed in the transmission also.

 

[Hamfisted]

The override button is directly below the ignition switch.
On the '04 there's a round rubber plug covering the bypass button on the underside of the steering column. The procedure is described on page 215 of your owners manual. But basically remove that plug and stick your finger up there and push the release down, put the shifter in neutral or whatever gear you need.

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/04exdog3e.pdf

This video describes replacing the brake pedal safety switch. It's either a blown fuse (but you said your brake lights work....) or this pedal switch is bad, or the actuator itself.




Neutral Safety Switch ....
https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-part...5PTIwMDMmdD1lZGRpZS1iYXVlciZlPTUtNGwtdjgtZ2Fz

Brake Shift Interlock Actuator Assembly https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-actuator-assembly-5l1z3z719a

 

[Pantera2077]

Thanks for your responses.
I have no idea where this release button is under there. However, sounds like I need to replace the brake switch.
Hopefully, that will solve the issue.

 

[Pantera2077]

Well, it is not the brake light switch either as I replaced that just now.
So what is holding the column shifter from moving?
Other vehicles have a shift interlock solenoid. As I mentioned in my first post there are videos of removal and replacement of this on the steering column of a 2003 Expedition.
I do not see this part for a 2004 and later....

 

[Trainmaster]

Can you move the lever when you follow Ham's video or the manual's over-ride instructions?

 

[Pantera2077]

I cannot really see what I am supposed to be pulling / pushing for the override. I have had my body under the dash and just don't see / feel this "button."
So I have not been able to move the lever and the brake switch did not help.

Thanks for all the help.

 

[Hamfisted]

They used the same actuator from 2003-2007. So it's gotta be up there somewhere. It's just a little button on the back end of the actuator, just like in the video above. You can easily reach it and depress it with one finger through that hole there. It pushes in about a quarter inch and releases the shifter. I just went out and tried it on my Expy and it was pretty easy. With your palm up you have no problem feeling it there through that hole.

 

[Pantera2077]

OK, I will do this again tomorrow when there is some light out there.
Thanks again.

 

[Pantera2077]

Got the override button and can get it out of Park. THANK YOU.
Your description was perfect. Not sure why I did not feel that before.
Looks like I need the $250 Brake Shift Interlock Actuator Assembly.

Will have to figure out how to install.
Might be a few days as we are supposed to get 5" of snow tonight and car is outside.

 

[Hamfisted]

That's good ! You can wait till the weather warms up, as long as you don't mind sticking your finger in there to unlock the shifter. Or maybe it'll start working again, who knows.
We might get some of that down here tomorrow. It's supposed to get in the 60's ! Brrrrrrr .....

 

[Motorcity muscle]

Curious, can you move the shift lever with the key in run position but engine off?

 

[hypercardriac]

The transmission position sensor on the side of the trans. Some people call it a neutral safety switch..

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...293250_0,prmr:1,pid:14315049995860293250,cs:1

Can almost guarantee it’s your issue..


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[Pantera2077]

Thanks for the suggestion.
Neutral safety switch might not be the issue as I removed the lever from the side of the switch and I still could not get the column shift out of part.
Cable was still locked in position when I started the car and tried to move it out of park.
I did buy one of these and plan on replacing it now that I know about the override and can get the trans in neutral. I am going to do this before I get the expensive solenoid switch just to be sure.
However, with the snow we got today it might be a day or 2 before getting under the car.
Plus work is kicking my butt this week.

Chris I will get you an answer to your question. Just been busy today with nonstop work.

 

[Pantera2077]

Chris - yes, I can move the lever with the key in the on position and if I depress the override button.

Tried installing the neutral safety switch tonight and was not able to complete it before I lost daylight.
I can say the YouTube video sure makes installation look super easy.
I am having a hard time pushing the switch back onto the shaft - I did clean up the shaft with a wire brush and some sandpaper to get the corrosion off after 198k miles. I must not have the key ways lined up.
Watched the video again just to make sure I was doing it right.
Will try again tomorrow.

 

[Motorcity muscle]

Chris - yes, I can move the lever with the key in the on position and if I depress the override button.

Tried installing the neutral safety switch tonight and was not able to complete it before I lost daylight.
I can say the YouTube video sure makes installation look super easy.
I am having a hard time pushing the switch back onto the shaft - I did clean up the shaft with a wire brush and some sandpaper to get the corrosion off after 198k miles. I must not have the key ways lined up.
Watched the video again just to make sure I was doing it right.
Will try again tomorrow.

Thanks for feedback, had an econoline that had the same problem but didn't have to use an override switch.

 

[hypercardriac]

Chris - yes, I can move the lever with the key in the on position and if I depress the override button.

Tried installing the neutral safety switch tonight and was not able to complete it before I lost daylight.
I can say the YouTube video sure makes installation look super easy.
I am having a hard time pushing the switch back onto the shaft - I did clean up the shaft with a wire brush and some sandpaper to get the corrosion off after 198k miles. I must not have the key ways lined up.
Watched the video again just to make sure I was doing it right.
Will try again tomorrow.

Takes a pretty good oomph to get it to snap into place.. just make sure to push on the center and not on the part housing as it will easily brake.. it’s essential to set the hash marks in neutral while adjusting for correct alignment before tightening it down.. I also had no luck getting it to snap into position in park, so I did that in neutral as well. For some reason, it was easier tho it shouldn’t have made a difference as far as I can tell.. Coupke thoughts that were on my mind when you said it was difficult getting on.


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[Pantera2077]

So the Expedition now comes out of park with the new Neutral Safety Switch.
Thanks for all the help and suggestions everyone.

Got this installed last night, but work was a pain today and just taking a bit of a break now.

Once I was able to align the key ways to the shaft I was able to pilot the switch onto the shaft.
I used a sharpie to make some marks on the shaft and the switch on the and that worked really well.
I still was not able to push it on all the way by hand. However, I got it far enough where I was able to use the fasteners to draw it onto the shaft. I then loosened the fasteners to set the adjustment. I think I did that part correctly. Seems like everything lines up with the indicator and no issues selecting any gear.

Fingers crossed.

 

[hypercardriac]

So the Expedition now comes out of park with the new Neutral Safety Switch.
Thanks for all the help and suggestions everyone.

Got this installed last night, but work was a pain today and just taking a bit of a break now.

Once I was able to align the key ways to the shaft I was able to pilot the switch onto the shaft.
I used a sharpie to make some marks on the shaft and the switch on the and that worked really well.
I still was not able to push it on all the way by hand. However, I got it far enough where I was able to use the fasteners to draw it onto the shaft. I then loosened the fasteners to set the adjustment. I think I did that part correctly. Seems like everything lines up with the indicator and no issues selecting any gear.

Fingers crossed.

Great news.. I was sure that was the issue.. I recently went thru the same thing.. Great job on the repair..


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[Pantera2077]

Well my victory was short lived.
Wife drove the Expedition for some errands yesterday with no issues.
She got home in the drive way and tried to leave and it would not come out of park again.
I walked her though the over-ride over the phone with no issues and she was able to get it out of park.

GRRRRRRRR!

Back to the drawing board.