gearshift lever won't move
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
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From: All over Texas
gearshift lever won't move
Man, I hate to do this, BUT after having to rescue my wife one time, I feel obligated to ask, do you have the brake pedal depressed?
Like I said, my wife (yes she's a blonde) called me one day and said she couldn't get her car into a gear. I dropped what I was doing and raced to see if I could help. I jumped into her car started it, pushed the brake pedal and grabbed the shift lever. I expected it to meet me with great resistance, but much to my surprise it slid right into gear so I asked her if she had depressed the brake and she said she must have forgotten...it's a good thing she's do damn pretty.
Like I said, my wife (yes she's a blonde) called me one day and said she couldn't get her car into a gear. I dropped what I was doing and raced to see if I could help. I jumped into her car started it, pushed the brake pedal and grabbed the shift lever. I expected it to meet me with great resistance, but much to my surprise it slid right into gear so I asked her if she had depressed the brake and she said she must have forgotten...it's a good thing she's do damn pretty.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
gearshift lever won't move
Try turning the key to the off position....not to lock and then see if it moves. If it does the solenoid that works the interlock isnt working. Could be faulty or could be just a fuse.
New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4
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gearshift lever won't move
Check to make sure your brake lights are working. If you don't have a blown fuse then the problem is in the multi-function switch located on the brake pedal itself. Try fiddling with the connection to make sure the wires are tight. This same thing happened to me and all I had to do was jiggle the wires and it started working again. Been OK now for about 10K miles.
I work around is to just turn the key to the first postion and move the shifter to nuetral. You can then start the vehicle and put it in drive. However, if the multi-function switch is not working you will not have any brake lights. So be careful if you drive it this way.
I work around is to just turn the key to the first postion and move the shifter to nuetral. You can then start the vehicle and put it in drive. However, if the multi-function switch is not working you will not have any brake lights. So be careful if you drive it this way.
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 1999
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gearshift lever won't move
Thanks for all of the input on my gear shift problem.It was a bad brakelight switch.Total costfor part 20.85.This site,as always ,has been a very valuable link to an inexpensive repair.
gearshift lever won't move
New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2
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gearshift lever won't move
Thank you for the excellent information in this thread!
I experienced this same problem in my 97 F150 and investigated the brake pedal switch based on your suggestions. Found that when the truck was manufactured, the wire harness had been pulled a little too tightly and the movement of the brake pedal was just enough to strain the connection on the connector. Upon closer inspection I found that the wire had been completely severed and was only being held by a small portion of the shielding.
I totally removed the 2-prong, female connector that Ford supplies and added my own connectors using simple shielded speaker connectors.
8 cents + 20 minutes of research sure beats the $140 the dealership wanted.
Thanks again.
I experienced this same problem in my 97 F150 and investigated the brake pedal switch based on your suggestions. Found that when the truck was manufactured, the wire harness had been pulled a little too tightly and the movement of the brake pedal was just enough to strain the connection on the connector. Upon closer inspection I found that the wire had been completely severed and was only being held by a small portion of the shielding.
I totally removed the 2-prong, female connector that Ford supplies and added my own connectors using simple shielded speaker connectors.
8 cents + 20 minutes of research sure beats the $140 the dealership wanted.
Thanks again.
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