This has just started happening.. I have an 2001 expedition eb, I've had it for about 2 years - and I love it. I have a remote start (which is awesome btw - summer or winter).. anyway what has started happening is sometimes the gear shifter doesnt register PARK I guess - and I'll have to hold the shifter UP in PARK to start. Not always but has happened a few times.

Its annoying especially when I try to remote start......... when the gear isnt held up in park and I turn the key to start, it does nothing - which is to say the engine doesnt crank. The lights come on but not the engine.

 

Two things to check:

1) Two Torx-headed screws under the column that connect the shift lever mechanism to the cable tend to loosen and even fall out.

2) The bushings in the shifter tube wear out and may require replacement.

 

3) Adjust the shifter cable down at the tranny.

 

[IMG][/IMG]
Note the yellow clip at the right of the picture.
That is the shift cable retaining clip.
The brown lever it is connected to operates the start interlock.
Remove the clip and reposition the lever securely in the park position.
Reattach the cable and clip.
DO NOT DO ANY OF THIS WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING SECURED TO PREVENT IT FROM ROLLING!!!

 

i have a 2001 navigator and am having the same problem just more frequently. it will not always engage in park, and doesnt want to start unless you play with the shifter, ill try this...

when repositioning the lever how do you know when it is in the park position?

 

Well, dang it. Went out to move my F250 this morning and had the same problem. I had noticed the shifter seemed loose yesterday but didn't have time to check it.

Found one of the Torx-head screws laying on the floor. Reinstalled it and tightened it. Problem solved.

 

where are these torx screws? i went and layed on the floor mat and couldnt see any torx screws anywhere? any pics or tips?

 

I had to remove the plastic cover panel. Then, lying on my back with a good flashlight in hand, I could see the remaining screw (there are two) in the shifter bracket. I reached up with my left hand and wiggled the shift lever so I could see the movement.

If you look at the steering shaft, there is a flat disk with holes near the perimeter of the disk. The shifter bracket and screws are just above that disk and the steering shaft.

 

Did someone say pictures?
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...ml#post7790246

 

wow thanks everyone. the two bolts were very loose, i tightened them. the shifter was tight as ever for a few days. then all of sudden at the gas station tonight the truck was doing the same thing. wouldnt start at all. i played with the shifter, played with those bolts, still couldnt get it to start... before i tightened those bolts it would always start if i played with the shifter a bit, now it wont start at all.... any ideas?

 

Try adjusting the cable as mentioned in the first part of this thread. I'm guessing your shifter was loose as well as your cable is out of whack. Since your problem is intermittant, tightening up those torx screws might not have solved anything and was just a coincidental issue. Them being loose was probably allowing you to take up a little more slack than normal so you could get it in position to be allowed to start.

 

i cant seem to find that cable? i found the one that goes off the gear shifter but it doesnt seem like there is anything on there to adjust. it doesnt look like the photo

 

Look underneath the vehicle on the driver's side of the tranny. That's where you'll find it.

 

The adjustment is made by releasing the clip then moving the lever forward or back in the slot of the cable.
The slotted cable end has a toothed surface that locks into the mating surface of the lever.
When the clip is replaced the two surfaces are engaged in a no slip grip.

 

ok when it stops raining ill crawl under and have a look. i read somewhere that there is a safety lock out that may have got unplugged which causes the truck not to start? where is this safety lock out? anyone know so i can check that too.

(all of the accessories turn on but the engine wont turn over even a little bit)