I have a 1987 Ford Bronco w/automatic. Shifter is stuck in park, I disconnected the linkage from the tranmission and it shifts fine. Something in the column is jamming it.

Any Ideas?

Thanks

 

one thing to check is the brake switch sensor(I think that's what it's called, it's in the column, and it it isn't working right you'll not be able to shift out of park. also you won't have brake lights or cruise crontrol working

 

The 87 does not require you to depress the brakes in order to shift, I think what you are saying didn’t take effect until sometime in the 90's.
I believe this has to be something mech. in the column associated with key lock.

Thank any ways

 

Come on Guys, I am all out of beer and can't think straight. I got to get this thing going so I can make a Beer Run! ;-p

 

What happened is probably this: Part of your ignition rod has broken. Happened to me a little while back. The piece that broke off is what keeps you from being able to put the Bronc in drive without the ignition being on.

Tear your column apart and take off your steering wheel. Find your rod, which is on top of your column. Follow it up to your key tumbler. I almost garauntee that is what happened. the part is like 10 bucks from a the dealership...

the only problem you will have is that to get it back it you have to disassemble your tilt mechanism... or you can do what I did and grind your replacement part down a little bit and it will slide in nicely.

It is a simple fix that you can do in no time.

let me know if you have anymore questions.

Peace

 

Thanks I will try this. The only thing is my bronco does not have a tilt wheel, so I guess maybe this will make it easyer.
Off to the dealer and to get some beer! :-)

Thanks Again

 

Well treehugger36 you were right, I drove in to town and the dealer was closed so I went to Napa Auto Parts and they had the part, $13. They even told me that they sell alot of them because this part is common to break. So I went ahead and bought it and went back home and started tearing the column apart.
Its not fixed yet because the part broken off is way down in side the slot. I am trying to get it out with a small wooden stick that I have applied hot glue to the end of the stick and hopefully will be able to pull it out. If not I am hoping you might tell me how you got yours out?

Thanks Again

BB

 

OK, well I got the broken piece out "this was not fun" Now I am ready to put the new one back in, Oops it is a tilt wheel. This is funny there is no lever out side of the column to tilt the wheel, only on the inside under the housing. Anyways I see what you mean about grinding some off to make it fit. Can you give me a little more info on the grinding of it? Do you mean grinding the end off, it looks like if I cut about 1/2 an inch off it would go in, is this what you ment.

Thanks again

BB

 

you dont have a tilt lever?! How do you turn your turnsignal on? they are the same lever on my vehicle.

anywho, I think you have the right idea. I really cant say without seein it.

Most people recommend you take apart the tilt mechanism but I wasnt about to do that. If you can find a pic of it I will try to show you on there. do you have a scanner or Digi-camera?

sorry I cant help you out. I dont want to try to explain it on here and it screw up your part.

be creative and harness the power of MacGyver, Like I do!!! MY HERO!

McNabb

 

I dont want to sound stupid, I bought the bronco used and have ownd it for 5 years and never new the turn signal lever operated the tilt wheel, hehehe... (Learn something new everyday)
I didnt finish until late last night, I did what I figured you did. I cut about 1/2 an inch off the end so it would fit in so I didnt have to take apart the tilt mechanism (Not sure how to do that anyways) but it worked fine. I always had problems starting it, I would have to turn the wheel about a 1/4 turn while turning the key in order for it to engage the starting switch. Now that is fixed too.

I want to thank you, you helped me alot.

BB

PS: I will have to post some of the other problems I am having on here and see if I can get solotion to them too, like my 1987 hubs.