My 97 Mountaineer is stuck in Park. The shift lever will basically not move at all. Is there a pin or other locking device that is part of the mechanism that could be stuck? Any info or help with this would be really great.

 

Are the brake lights working?

Check interior fuse fuse 10/shift lock actuator & fuse 13/brake light fuse.

 

This has happened to a lot of people - me included. In my case, the fuses were okay, but the wire attached to the switch on the brake pedal was knocked off.

There is a way to move it out of Park - not sure if this is the exact proceedure, but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

1. insert key and turn to unlock the wheel but not to the ON position.
2. check to see if gear selector will move - you may have to press the brake pedal but I don't think so.
3. to start, move to N.

If this works, then you have some kind of problem with the brake lights.

 

Thanks 87XLT and hank_48 for your quick replies. It turned out to be fuse 13 - blown because of a bad led tail/brake lamp I had just installed. Glad I didn't have the sucker towed!

 

Good deal, glad to hear you got it figured out.