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Anonymous Posted on Aug 31, 2014

Why doesn't transmission engage when shift lever moves

4 cyl, auto transmission. Gear shift lever moves, but is "free rolling" except in park

1 Answer

Richard Warren

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  • Mercury Master 2,548 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 31, 2014
Richard Warren
Mercury Master
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Joined: Feb 08, 2014
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Oil level in trans Check fluid , engine idling in park , if it is full it will be internal , burnt out clutches.

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 783 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 01, 2009

SOURCE: My 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Gear Shift is stuck.

See if u have brake lights. This is what energizes the shifter solenoid. There are 2 fuses u can check both are in the under dash fuse panel. Fuse 23 (15amp) and fuse 26 (7.5amp).
To get it out of park turn igntion switch on stopping just short of engerizing the electronics then u should be able to get it out of park and into neutral.

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Anonymous

  • 218 Answers
  • Posted on May 01, 2009

SOURCE: My 2003 Mercury Mountaineer Gear Shift is stuck.

THERE IS A SENSOR ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THAT RELEASES THE THE SHIFTER.THERE A 3 COMPONENTS INVOLVED.U CAN PUT IT IN NEUTRAL BEFORE U START THE CAR.THEN WIL SHIFT.

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jun 29, 2010

SOURCE: Gear Shift lever loose

There are two torx bolts that hold the shifter to the column. You can see them with the lower column cover off (must first remove the ignition cylinder). If the lever is loose, these bolts are the first thing that I would check. That the identical problem on my villager.

Anonymous

  • 4669 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 02, 2010

SOURCE: I cannot shift my 98 Sable out of park into a gear

Sounds like a problem with the brake light switch. Do the brake lights work? It is a problem with the shift interlock system. It is controlled by the brake light switch on the brake pedal bracket.

Testimonial: "Actually the brake pedal switch must have been kicked so it was not aligned properly. A little realignment, no tools needed and everything works fine"

Anonymous

  • 43 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 24, 2011

SOURCE: 2002 mercury sable wont go into gear. shifter

ok sounds like the transmission might be your problem
first you would need to change the transmission filer by pulling the transmission plate and draining and replace filter and fluids new fluids prefferably. if that doesnt fix it. you could have a sensor or computer part out only real way to know is to take to shop to get looked at. hope this helps good luck

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0helpful
1answer

2003 aviator won't go into gear

When you say the vehicle "won't go into gear," do you mean you cannot move the lever out of PARK, or do you mean that when you move the lever out of PARK the transmission will not engage?
If the lever will not move out of PARK, check your BRAKE LIGHT fuse, your BRAKE LIGHT switch, and the SOLENOID at the shift mechanism.
If your lever moves out of PARK easily (too easily), it is possible that your shift linkage has broken or come loose.
If your lever moves out of PARK normally but the transmission does not engage, it's time to have the car towed to the transmission repair shop.
0helpful
2answers

Car wont start and rolls backwards even though it apears to be in park

Sounds like the shifter is stuck in reverse or drive since it will roll.
I would set the parking brake and have someone watch the shift lever on the transmission to see if it and the shifter inside is still connected.
0helpful
1answer

My old falcon will not shift into gear will go into park but when shift lever is moved car will not go into gear

For gear shift issues and gear stuck issues,the help links are provided below. Click the link below to go through troubleshooting procedure:---- ---- Car will not move when in gear?


http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html ---- transmission sticks in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html ----- Transmission not engaging in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html ----- Vehicle only goes in First gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html


----

Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html


---- Engine will not go out of park mode? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html ---- Car stuck in park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html ----- Car will not come out of Park?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html

-----
Automatic transmission will not go into high gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
--- Car wont downshift sometimes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
---- Transmission will shift into drive?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
----- Auto wont shift from park? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html ---- Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
----- Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key is turned ON?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
---- Third gear missing and engine losing power?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
------- Vehicle has whining sound in gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
----- Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
------ Car hard shift at slow speeds?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
--- Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold mornings?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
------ Gear shifts hard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
------- Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html

-------

This will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

Why is my car stuck in fifth gear?

For gear shift issues and gear stuck issues,the help links are provided below.Click the link below to go through troubleshooting procedure:--------Car will not move when in gear?


http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html----transmission sticks in first gear?http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html-----Transmission not engaging in first gear?http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html-----Vehicle only goes in First gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html


----

Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html


----Engine will not go out of park mode?http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html----Car stuck in park?http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html-----Car will not come out of Park?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html

-----
Automatic transmission will not go into high gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
---Car wont downshift sometimes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
----Transmission will shift into drive?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
-----Auto wont shift from park?http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html----Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
-----Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key is turned ON?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
----Third gear missing and engine losing power?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
-------Vehicle has whining sound in gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
-----Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
------Car hard shift at slow speeds?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
---Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold mornings?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
------Gear shifts hard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
-------Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html

-------

This will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

Won't shift

For gear shift issues and gear stuck issues,the help links are provided below. Click the link below to go through troubleshooting procedure:---- ---- Car will not move when in gear?


http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html ---- transmission sticks in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html ----- Transmission not engaging in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html ----- Vehicle only goes in First gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html


----

Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html


---- Engine will not go out of park mode? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html ---- Car stuck in park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html ----- Car will not come out of Park?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html

-----
Automatic transmission will not go into high gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
--- Car wont downshift sometimes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
---- Transmission will shift into drive?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
----- Auto wont shift from park? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html ---- Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
----- Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key is turned ON?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
---- Third gear missing and engine losing power?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
------- Vehicle has whining sound in gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
----- Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
------ Car hard shift at slow speeds?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
--- Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold mornings?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
------ Gear shifts hard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
------- Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html

-------

This will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

Manual transmission

For gear shift issues and gear stuck issues,the help links are provided below. Click the link below to go through troubleshooting procedure:---- ---- Car will not move when in gear?


http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html ---- transmission sticks in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html ----- Transmission not engaging in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html ----- Vehicle only goes in First gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html


----

Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html


---- Engine will not go out of park mode? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html ---- Car stuck in park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html ----- Car will not come out of Park?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html

-----
Automatic transmission will not go into high gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
--- Car wont downshift sometimes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
---- Transmission will shift into drive?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
----- Auto wont shift from park? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html ---- Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
----- Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key is turned ON?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
---- Third gear missing and engine losing power?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
------- Vehicle has whining sound in gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
----- Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
------ Car hard shift at slow speeds?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
--- Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold mornings?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
------ Gear shifts hard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
------- Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html

-------

This will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

Car wont shift when driving

For gear shift issues and gear stuck issues,the help links are provided below. Click the link below to go through troubleshooting procedure:---- ---- Car will not move when in gear?


http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html ---- transmission sticks in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html ----- Transmission not engaging in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html ----- Vehicle only goes in First gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html


----

Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html


---- Engine will not go out of park mode? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html ---- Car stuck in park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html ----- Car will not come out of Park?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html

-----
Automatic transmission will not go into high gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
--- Car wont downshift sometimes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
---- Transmission will shift into drive?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
----- Auto wont shift from park? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html ---- Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
----- Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key is turned ON?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
---- Third gear missing and engine losing power?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
------- Vehicle has whining sound in gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
----- Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
------ Car hard shift at slow speeds?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
--- Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold mornings?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
------ Gear shifts hard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
------- Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html

-------

This will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

2004 Trailblazer shifter stuck on Nueutral can't move to park or Drive

For gear shift issues and gear stuck issues,the help links are provided below. Click the link below to go through troubleshooting procedure:---- ---- Car will not move when in gear?


http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-will-not-move-when-in-gear.html ---- transmission sticks in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-transmission-sticks-in.html ----- Transmission not engaging in first gear? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/mercedes-benz-not-engaging-in-first.html ----- Vehicle only goes in First gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/chrysler-pt-cruiser-only-goes-in-first.html


----

Car is stuck in park and the shift will not move?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/08/car-is-stuck-in-park-and-shift-will-not.html


---- Engine will not go out of park mode? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/2002-nissan-sentra-will-not-go-out-of.html ---- Car stuck in park? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-sentra-stuck-in-park.html ----- Car will not come out of Park?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-will-not-come-out-of-park.html

-----
Automatic transmission will not go into high gear?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/automatic-transmission-will-not-go-into.html
--- Car wont downshift sometimes?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-downshift-sometimes.html
---- Transmission will shift into drive?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/buick-park-avenuetransmission-will.html
----- Auto wont shift from park? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/ford-taurus-wont-shift-from-park.html ---- Car Transmission will not go into Park mode?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-transmission-will-no-go-into-park.html
----- Shift indicator directly goes to 2nd when key is turned ON?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/shift-indicator-directly-goes-to-2nd.html
---- Third gear missing and engine losing power?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/third-gear-missing-and-engine-losing.html
------- Vehicle has whining sound in gear?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/chevrolet-silverado-has-whining-sound.html
----- Hard to shift gears on Manual transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/hard-to-shift-gears-on-manual.html
------ Car hard shift at slow speeds?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-hard-shift-at-slow-speeds.html
--- Automatic transmission shift lever hard to move on cold mornings?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/automatic-transmission-shift-lever-hard.html
------ Gear shifts hard?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/2000-nissan-maxima-shifts-hard.html
------- Vehicle noticed sluggish delayed shifts while driving?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-noticed-sluggish-delayed-shifts.html

-------

This will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
1answer

When I start the car, I can't put the car in shift mode. Unless I am on a slight incline and put my emergency brake on to roll. What is the problem and how much will it cost me to fix?

Can't shift out of park because I've parked on a slight hill and my car has backed up slightly jaming the parking pawl in the automatic transmission after I have shifted into park but before I have set the parking brake. This is a complaint that Ford owners have had for years. Try this proceedure to see if this solves you problem and best of all it's Free. 1st when you park develop the habit of; while still having the foot brake down apply the park brake firmly first and then shift into park and then release the foot brake. Remember it is important to apply park brake with enough force to prevent the vehicle from rolling. What happens is in the rear of an automatic transmission there is a coarse gear that has a lever that engages this larger gear and when you shift into park range this lever goes into one of the spaces in the larger gear and stops the car from rolling. If the car starts to roll it can Jam the lever against the gear and make it difficult to shift out of park. By using the procedure I've outlined it prevents the lever OR Pawl from being jambed into the larger park gear. Try to make this a habit and you shouldn't have anymore problems.
1helpful
1answer

Hi, I own a 1997 Ford E 350 Econoline, I have the following transmission engagement problem: Truck will not start: Transmission will not engage any gear, neutral or park. The shift lever feels like is not...

The weld on the manual lever is known to break loose. First, with the wheels off the ground, with the lever in the park position, does the drive shaft lock in park? If yes or no sometimes, drop the trans pan. I bet the nut on the lever camd loose.
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