My 2000 ford explora wont shift into park, i have to leave it in reverse to get the key out and put the Ebrake on and shut it off. when i put the car in drive it goes all the way to the number 1, can you...
The shift linkage is out of adjustment.
The cable bolt may be loose up at the column, the column itself may be loose enough to allow it to shift position as well.
Make sure column is securely mounted, If not- tighten the 4 bolts that hold it to the dash support so it is. if it is, crawl under driver's side and on the transmission is a bracket where the cable assembly comes into it, and from there a rod that attaches on the lever on the side of the transmission. Make sure the bracket is not damaged or cracked first- if it is, replace it. There is a captive clip to release on the wide part of the piece that the bracket holds, it does not come out fully, but it will release the cable housing so you can slide it to adjust it. With the column shift in Park position, note where the rod is at the transmission. Also make note if the bracket is in line with transmission. If bracket is in line, pull the lever rearward one notch/detent that you will feel engage the lever- this moves the transmission lever to neutral, then with firm pressure push lever forward so you feel 2 distinct notches/detents forward, the lever is now in park. Push locking clip back into position once you confirm the cable outer housing is squarely seated into bracket opening and is soundly clipped into the square opening of the bracket.
If the lever will not move to that second detent or you did not feel it, you will need to check by putting the column shift to first gear position, release the connection to the lever on the transmission just to verify location of lever, and verify the lever is indeed in first gear- the lever on the transmission will move no further- then count detents forward from the rear stop. you should end up in park, and you may hear the parking pawl engage the output shaft of transmission. move lever back to the rear to the stop, reattach the connection to the cable, put column in park, release the clip again and verify the lever is as far forward as it is going to move. Push clip into lock position.
Start Explorer, with foot on brake pedal, release the emergency/parking brake and see if the vehicle moves, or if it is truly in park. It should be in park.
If you encounter some dificulty with getting the column shift lever itself moved over to park- apply brake pedal to release the park interlock mechanism.
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