brake shift interlock
 

I have a 2004 Explorer. 4.0 V6. I started it my aftermarket remote starter the other day. It wouldn't shift out of park, unless I used the bypass/override switch. Now every time I start it, with the key or the starter, I have to use the bypass/override switch on the bottom of the column to shift out of park.

The starter is a starter only no alarm. The starter has a kill switch. I have tried it in the off position, still the problem continues.


Also, the high brake stop tail light appears to have no power going to it when the brake it applied. The other brake lights are fine. I tested the bulbs.

I have checked the fuses for the Brake Shift Interlock (25 on the fuse block under the driver's side dash) and all the brake light fuses as well.

Is it the pedal switch that is bad? Any suggestions?

If the brake light switch was bad, none of your brake lights would work. With fuses and bulbs checking out OK, I'm wondering if the solenoid that unlocks the column shifter is gone..................?

Steve

I am not aware of where the solenoid is located, I would like to find, pull it and test it.

Anyone know where it is?

Removing the top and bottom covers of the steering column will hopefully expose the interlock system components. Also, Franklin (in the Electrical Systems/Wiring Forum) is a pretty good spark-chaser and may be able to help if you don't get any good info here.

Steve

Update:

I pulled a bunch of fuses to recheck that I did not miss a bad one. No bad fuses. Started the explorer to move it, and the problem is gone!

Was something frozen and cycling the power help? I pulled more than just the two I checked before, it was kind of a random check.

The Owner's Guide references fuses in relation to interlock problems, so you may have cleaned up a tiny bit of corrosion when R & Ring the fuses. Hopefully the problem will stay gone...........

Steve