Shifter wont move

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Sep 15, 2015 | 09:13 AM

ithaca1230

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 889

Likes: 1

From: Ithaca

Shifter wont move

So lately this has been getting worst. You have to step on the brake before you can shift out of park. Well lately I have to step on the brake a few times before the safety will let you get into gear. any of you know how to fix this? Thanks

Sep 15, 2015 | 09:53 AM

nmclella

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 1,479

Likes: 0

From: New Brunswick, Canada

Shifter wont move

Sounds like a bad brake switch to me. Happens to me once in awhile, I just have to go up and down on the brake a few times to get it to work. Happened on my 04 Jetta as well. New switch and it worked great.

On the Jetta if you turned the key halfway it let you take it out of park and into neutral, then you could start and go.

Update: Just checked and the same procedure works on the Ex. Put key in ignition, turn to first notch, shift into Neutral, start, go. Just in case it ever leaves you stranded.

Sep 15, 2015 | 10:21 AM

robert_l_ross

Cargo Master

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 2,923

Likes: 33

From: Sacramento Area

My Expedition had the same thing, and I did a preventative fix on the Excursion. Ford made the switch wiring run behind the brake pedal - so tight that pressing the pedal would flex the wiring. That flexing over time would break the wire at the brake switch connector - causing an intermittent break in the circuit (often when you press the pedal).

Brakes would still work, but the switch wouldn't. Not a terrible thing trying to get out of park, but your brake lights may not work regularly when the wire gets bad enough - and that could lead to someone rear-ending you.

I pulled a switch connector and wiring out of a donor truck (with a lot of spare wire), re-did the pins on the connector and spliced it in to mine (with enough slack to secure it so there was plenty of room for the brake pedal to move without touching the wire harness).

For me at least, it wasn't the switch, just the wiring coming out of the switch connector.

Sep 15, 2015 | 04:56 PM

TeachNlive4ever

Cargo Master

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 2,350

Likes: 7

From: Garland, Tx

If you should find yourself in a pinch, put it in nuetral, crank and go. Just a suggestion.Worked for me when I was having the problem.

Sep 16, 2015 | 07:41 AM

ithaca1230

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 889

Likes: 1

From: Ithaca

How do you replace the switch?

Sep 17, 2015 | 07:28 AM

ithaca1230

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 889

Likes: 1

From: Ithaca

So no one has replaced this switch before?

Sep 17, 2015 | 01:19 PM

holeshotwalt

Posting Guru

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 1,072

Likes: 0

From: Dustbowl, NV

I just had my wife's 01 Taurus to the shop for the same symptom- the mechanic found a TSB Service Bulletin from Ford about 2000-2002 vehicles. The dealer has a kit with a better (metal) brake switch and pigtail that solved the problem.
The TSB covered a bunch of trucks also, not sure if the X is included.
The kit was about 35 bucks, the install 1/2 hour. Hope this helps!