Gear shift won't engage

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Dec 17, 2010 | 02:25 PM

maniak88r

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Gear shift won't engage

04 F350 diesel w/ auto trans.

Does anyone know what switch operates the brake pressure safety function?

When you apply the brakes, it releases the lock on the gearshift. This is intermittently malfunctioning, preventing me from engaging the transmission.

I see an electrical switch on the brake pedal and a pressure switch on the master cylinder. Which one activates the gearshift lock?

Can this switch be bypassed in an emergency?

Please help, Thanks,MJ

Dec 17, 2010 | 03:32 PM

dchamberlain

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From: Scio, OR

It's the switch on the brake pedal.

Apr 13, 2011 | 06:45 PM

Stephan_K

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Quote:

Originally Posted by maniak88r

What he said !

Can this switch be bypassed ??? Sometimes no matter what you do to the brake pedal, shifter won't move ! This is annoying as HELL.......

Apr 13, 2011 | 07:11 PM

maniak88r

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I actually unplugged mine. The issue is with an acuator on the steering column. I pulled the lower panel from below the column, follow the wires toward the top of the column. You'll see a cylinder looking object on the right side top of the column. Unplug the little plug from that cylinder and your column will function properly.

Note: This disables the brake pedal safety !!! The truck will go into gear without the brake being engaged.

I still have to purchase a new acuator for mine so that I can re-activate the safety.

Apr 13, 2011 | 07:12 PM

dchamberlain

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From: Scio, OR

You can turn the key to the OFF position (not the LOCK position) and the shift interlock is manually disabled. Put the truck into neutral and then you can start it.

That is just a work around though. It's there to allow you to use the truck if the shift interlock doesn't work. You need to figure out whether it's the brake switch or the shift interlock and replace whichever it is.

Also, it is not unusual for the interlock screws to loosen and keep it from working properly. Take the lower shroud off of the steering column and you can access the interlock and make sure the screws are tight.

Apr 13, 2011 | 07:37 PM

Stephan_K

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I like the unplug it idea for solving the problem ! That thing is a major pain in the ****...... Never did like it ever on any of my Fords.

Apr 13, 2011 | 11:34 PM

wizardsr

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From: Minneapolis, MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephan_K

I like the unplug it idea for solving the problem ! That thing is a major pain in the ****...... Never did like it ever on any of my Fords.

I'd fix it, it's a safety feature that's there for a reason, every vehicle has it, not just fords.

Maybe stating the obvious here, but just don't unplug the switch on the brake pedal or you'll have no brake lights, brake controller won't work, etc.