HELP! Wont shift!

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Dec 5, 2008 | 08:38 AM

Chuck_Grodin

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HELP! Wont shift!

Hey guys trying to go to work this morning and tried to shift my 98 ranger into reverse and the shifter is jammed! i can't get it to move! Should i have i towed to a shop?

Dec 5, 2008 | 10:03 AM

mcs58

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Sounds like brake switch

Dec 5, 2008 | 10:58 AM

87 XLT

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From: SoCal

Are your brake lights working? As mentioned could be the brake light switch.

Look in your owners manual theres probably a way to shift with engine off when this happens.

Dec 5, 2008 | 11:02 AM

Pablo-UA

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From: Kiev, Ukraine

sometimes shift lever solenoid fails. I use to remove it. But it is considered dangerouse to have no safety solenoid.

Dec 6, 2008 | 12:52 PM

tomw

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From: suburban atlanta

The guys are talking about the shift interlock that won't let you out of park unless your foot is pressed down on the brake pedal. Is that the situation or do you have a manual transmission?
If a manual, is sounds like the linkage may be broken. The automatic, some have a manual release 'procedure' you can use to get out of park if the gizmo is broken. Cars with consoles regularly had a place to put the ignition key near the shifter that released the interlock so you could put the transmission in neutral and bypass the lock.
tom

Dec 10, 2008 | 12:42 AM

Chuck_Grodin

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So, I called a tow truck that morning and he told me nothing was wrong, started the truck, turned the tyres a bit and it shifted.

Dec 10, 2008 | 05:53 AM

wendell borror

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I guess the truck didn't want you to go to work that day, what a good little truck ha ha!!!

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Dec 10, 2008 | 11:21 AM

matt's2.9STX

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Joined: Aug 2006

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From: Southeast MI

How'd you get it to run then? Ford do another update for remote start or something where the safeties are different? My family members have done stories like this occasionally. I was usually doing the part of your tow truck driver in my Rangers though. I didn't see THIS one coming!:P Although a buddy did something a little different with a GMC truck. Need to pull the shifter back a bit on his when sliding out of park.