I own a 96 Ford Bronco Full Size, Automatic Transmission 4x4. The issue I am having is with my shifter. It currently will not shift out of park. Bronco starts fine, but when I attempt shift out of park, it feels as if something is blocking the shifter from moving out of Park. There is no linkage being blocked or anything else. I am pushing the brake also when I attempt to shift out of park..still it will not move. I figured this has disabled me from driving, but I can get around the issue temporarily. I can place the key in the iginition and move it enough where the steering wheel is unlocked and so is the shifter. I can move the shifter out of park a little and am actually able to start the bronco and move the shifter to all other gears just fine. Of course moving it back to park will block it in that gear again and I will have to do the ignition juggle to get it out again. Looking for anyone who may know about this type of issue. Someone mentioned this may be my actuator rod. Not really sure what type of cost this may involve better yet if I could do it myself or leave to a Ford Dealership. Any help would be appreciated!

 

Sounds like the little link between shift lever and lower shift link is broken. You can get the part at your local Ford dealer, it is real cheep, because it breaks often. You will need to take the steering column apart to replace it. Not a difficult task. If you have tilt column you will need to pull the pivot pins. I found a small screw to pull those, so no need to buy a special tool. Bruce

 

check the 15 amp fuse 13, it powers the "automatic Shift interlock". the switch in front of my master cylinder that is part of the cruise control circuit that shuts offcruise when he brake is applied burned up, blowing that fuse. mine is a 95.
good luck, will be a cheap fix if that is it.

 

I just had the same thing happen last week. part cost $14.88 from the dealer.

 

Thanks for the info everyone, I will check it out this weekend. If all elese fails I will being heading to the shop.

 

If those ideas don't work, you may have broken the cast metal horse collar in the steering column. It is the part that holds the gear drive for the column lock to the start pin.
Another possibility is the pawl inside the trans itself. If you disconnect the linkage, try shifting the lever at the trans.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Jun-02 AT 01:45 PM (EST)]

Ack, it was the number 13 fuse in the box, "Automatic shift Interlock". It was burned out and once I replaced the fuse, I was able to shift out of park again. However...my speed control or should I say Cruise Control is still not working. I am wondering if it may be periodically blowing out the fuse because it does not work. Speed control is on the same fuse circuit, but it still does not work. I will probably get it looked at later, but now that I can shift again with no problems, is good enough for me at this time. Thanks for the help.

Speed control is the same as Cruise control? Just wondering.

 

check the condition of the cruise control brake switch in front of your master cylinder. on my 95, it shorted out and burned up, which blew my fuse 13. Cruise would not work until I replaced the switch.