Bones_will not shift into gear when applying on the brake..

When you apply the brake do the brake lights burn ?

2000 Durango shifts into gear without pressing brake! [Archive ...

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Apr 6, 2009 - 31 posts - ‎18 authors
Legislation was passed (don't remember what year) that passenger vehicles, not trucks, must have the brake applied to put it into gear because ...

brake must be applied before you can move gear shift. if the brake light switch is ajar then the signal is missing to the shift lock solenoid. check for these things. ignition should be on apply the brake a listen for the shift lock solenoid to unlock the shifter

You have to fully apply your regular brakes before you can shift from PARK (P) when the ignition key is in the RUN position. If you cannot shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever -- push the shift lever all the way into PARK (P) and also release the shift lever button on floor shift console models -- as you maintain brake application. Then move the shift lever into the gear you wish.

There should be a cable that goes from the key lock to the shifter. That cable may be broken. There should also be a lock solenoid that requires you to push on the brake pedal to get the shifter out of park.
You would need to disassemble the console to get access to the shifter and then inspect these components.

Look in the owners manual their is a place to stick your key or a screw driver to release the safety switch when you apply the brake to shift out of park, it could be the stop light at the brake peddle.

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.

Common problem.

In future, when on put it in park only AFTER the handbrake is applied. Ideally, foot brake, shift to N, apply handbrake, release foot brake, shift to park.

If the incline isn't steep have someone push car uphill while you gently move gearshift shift out of park. If its a steep hill, call a tow truck and move to a level surface. The parking pawl in the transmission becomes groved over time (and sticks) unless you use the handbreak as described.

The brake pedal has a switch that has to compress to let you engage the shifter, it's a safety thing. So in order to shift into gears the brake has to be applied. The switch could be defective.

I have seen this happen so don't be mad if I am wrong someone buys a car then can't get it to go in gear. You have to apply the brake before you try to move the shifter then it will move if you try the shifter first it will lock and even the brake will not let it loose until you push it back up and start over and apply brake first