I can't get my shifter to move out of park. I took it in and they replaced the brake switch and although that seemed to fix it it started up again after a week of use. Now I'm stuck in my driveway. What's causing this?

 

wow only after a week.... cant say weather you got a bad one, or you have an issue.

I would start by poking around down there by the brake pedel, looking for something that fell out of place, or adjustment. If its a problem of the switches going bad from another unseen problem, That is tough to crack with internet advise.

If you had any wiring experience it will help you no waist money at a shop or dealer

I would almost bet money that if they indeed changed a switch, and it worked for only a week, that you have a loose connection at the switch plug where it attches into the rest of the harness.

What i think happend, connection is established when you plug in the new, then a week of road vibes loosen it up again.

Just a theory... but its the best i can do over the internet.

Good Luck

 

Oh ya cant the brake interlock be over ridden in your truck... check the manual, its not a fix, but you can drive it till you do fix it

 

probably the brake shift interlock solenoid. I had this problem too and so have a few others. I too replaced my brake switch and that fixed the cruise not working, but I have disabled the solenoid so I don't know if it fixed that or not. The procedure is listed in your owner's manual. Basically open your center console and you will see a spot to pry off the plastic cover that has the cup holders in it and such, go ahead and pry that off. Then you will see a little white "button" on the left side of the shifter, play around with that and you will see that when the button is pushed down that the truck will be able to shift any time even when the brake is not depressed, when it is up it is locked. If you don't care about the lock being in place(which I didn't) then you can figure out something to jam in slot when the button is down to hold it down. I used a little piece of wood I broke to the right size, you could also use plastic I suppose, whatever you can that will go in there and stay and hold the button down. the reassemble and you will be good to drive again.

 

This is all good... but like this guy, I would want to know if i had a bigger problem... if He had it replaced once and a week later the part is burnt out again, i would worry of a possible over voltage problem that can start a fire or something. Speaking of over volts, have you checked the fuses?

 

Thanks guys. I haven't checked the fuses but I doubt this would be it as the problem was intermittent for the past couple of days. I'll poke around the brake pedal and also check the manual for the override.

 

Soleniod's fail with intermittant faults about half the time... I bet if they did the switch last time, it was probly just a guess on there part, and now the solenoid failed completely with no intermittance

 

06 2006 Ford F150 Shift Interlock Solenoid - Driveshaft & Axle - Dorman, Standard Motor Products - PartsGeek

42 bucks, not bad

 

Mark,
How much do I owe you? Found the override and now the thing works perfectly. I tried it several times and the solenoid moves the tab aside as it's suppose to every time. Perhaps the little tab had worked itself loose. I would have never thought of looking in the manual for this fix. Thanks a whole bunch.

The brake lights work so I believe it's not a fuse issue.

 

the lil red buttons at the top of my post will we payment enough...

add to reputation...

But keep in mind what i said, electric solenoids act up intermitently before complete failure, so if it happens again, use the overide, but plan on replacing it... Good luck

 

oh ya i also have been wanting to use this emotocon forever, dont take it personal, its not ment to be mean... atleast not in this case

 

So pushing down the little white tab next to the shifter over rides it and it goes to any gear ? Is this correct

 

2008 FX4 F150 5.4 have the same problem wont come out of park. Brake lights work ok, must be interlock solenoid. Any step by steps out there on how to replace it?
Thanks in advance...

 

Same thing happened to me this morning on my 2004 FX4. I was able to get the truck in gear by following the instructions on this thread (removed shift console cover, pressed white button). Thanks BigUnit 54!
Where is the solenoid itself located?