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Work-around for shift position sensor

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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 10:34 PM
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Work-around for shift position sensor

Hello fellow forum members,

At the risk of not making it to work tomorrow I need your help. My truck is being a pain in my butt tonight. Every now and then this happens but it is usually rectified by moving the shift lever around.

Long story short I think the truck thinks it is in gear and will not engage to starter. Isn't there a wire near the vac pump to jump the solenoid? Is there something very easy I can do with extremely minimal tools? I have tried shifting the truck throught he gears many times and it does not want to cooperate.

Is there anything short of actually getting under the truck and crossing the starter terminals?

2002 7.3L F250 Diesel

Thanks,
Scott Plooster
 
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 10:44 PM
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snakedoc
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From: AL, Reform
is it an auto or 6 speed.
of auto try N iif that works the switch needs adjusting
if 6 speed there is a switch on the clutch pedal may be going out.

if it is the solenoid then yes you can jump the wires as long as the key is on and the clutch is pushed or the auto is in park.
 
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 10:45 PM
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Usually with the ones I have seen it is the 2 torx screws that are loose causing this issue

Sloppy Shifter

PRND2L Adjustment

Pointer Adjustment
 
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 10:47 PM
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snakedoc
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those are the links i could not find in my list.
 
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 11:21 PM
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Originally Posted by BigAlsPSD
Usually with the ones I have seen it is the 2 torx screws that are loose causing this issue

Sloppy Shifter

PRND2L Adjustment

Pointer Adjustment
It likely is this but is there some sort of sensor that tells the truck it's in park or N? The dealer told me the "bushings" were out and wanted $400 bones. It's an automatic

Right now I just need to get going. Is there a way around this sensor?

Thanks,
Scott
 
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 11:23 PM
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Originally Posted by snakedoc
is it an auto or 6 speed.
of auto try N iif that works the switch needs adjusting
if 6 speed there is a switch on the clutch pedal may be going out.

if it is the solenoid then yes you can jump the wires as long as the key is on and the clutch is pushed or the auto is in park.
I don't think it's the solenoid but this would be a way around the stupid sensor that thinks it's in park right?

I thought there was some signal lead on the passenger side of the engine compartment that you could tap on the battery to get the truck to start... any ideas on this?

Thanks,
 
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 11:24 PM
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There is a Transmission range selector switch located on the side of the transmission in the pics for the PRND2L that is what is being adjusted.

If indeed it is the bushings for the column those are not too bad to change either.
 
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 11:26 PM
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Check the screws, easy check, looking up from underneath with the lower dash panel(Fuse Panel) off. Circled.

Name:  Torx screws.jpg
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Size:  57.2 KB
 
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 11:33 PM
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Originally Posted by BigAlsPSD
Check the screws, easy check, looking up from underneath with the lower dash panel(Fuse Panel) off. Circled.

Attachment 43993
Will a loose shifter actually throw the truck into a "no-start" safety fault?
 
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 11:37 PM
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Yep, I've seen it on a few trucks, mostly because those torx screw are what hold the shift lever to the push pull cable that moves the TRS, if they are loose, you might not be getting a good signal to the TRS saying that you are in P or N.
 
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 11:44 PM
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Scott, it sounds more to me like your Neutral safety switch on the side of your trans has gone kaput. The part is about 40 bucks and is easy to switch. I had the same issue.
 
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 11:51 PM
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Ok sounds good folks. I'll check those screws, if that doesn't do the trick I'll order the switch and call a cab in the morning =(

I really appreciate your help guys!
 
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Old Nov 15, 2011 | 11:56 PM
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Best of luck to you, I hate that you have to call a cab? Inspecting the screws shouldn't take but a few minutes? Might not even have to check them if your shifter is nice and tight. If it is tight, then I would agree with needing a Range sensor.
 
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Old Nov 16, 2011 | 07:46 AM
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Originally Posted by BigAlsPSD
Best of luck to you, I hate that you have to call a cab? Inspecting the screws shouldn't take but a few minutes? Might not even have to check them if your shifter is nice and tight. If it is tight, then I would agree with needing a Range sensor.
It appears as if I am actually MISSING one of the two screws that hold that bracket into place. I held it flush with my hand and gave the ignition the "reach around" and still nothing but it looks like it ought to have an extra bolt anyways. I dont think that is it tho because I held it tight fush and still no turn over...

You need to be a member of the circus to actually get in there that is crazy! Talk about contortionist!

Actually didn't need to call a cab tho. I guess a co-worker lives near =)
 
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Old Nov 16, 2011 | 08:01 AM
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Also, given mine is an '02 it doesn't look exactly as pictured. I have a small bracket with the two screws with some sort of a pin through the center. The picture looks like a block. Likely doesn't matter a whole lot to the cause...
 
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