Automatic gearshift stuck in park

if its stuck in park the most likely cause is a faulty brake pedal switch, you can release the shift lever if you unscrew the little star shaped plug near the gearshift and insert a small screwdriver or similar to manually release it. also sounds like the gear selector cable may be out of adjustment it will not start/crank if the switches on the gear lever (jgate} and the gearbox switches are not in harmony with each other. hope this helps.

Hi Robert,does the vehicle have automatic transmission? If yes check the inhibitor switch on gearshift. It is there to stop you starting in any gear apart from Drive and Park

There are 2 different vehicles listed on your question. One is a Chevy Blazer, the other is a 2007 Ford Focus. Don't know which is the problem.

Is this a automatic or a stick shift? I will give you the information about an automatic Ford Focus.

The gearshift is locked into Park until you press on the brake pedal. Sometimes for stick shifts, the clutch pedal has the release. Either way, the release signal unlocks the gearshift. The position of the switch on either the brake pedal lever or clutch lever can be bumped by the Drivers feet.

These switches as well as the release on the gearshift must be aligned (timed), adjusted, etc. so that they work properly. Sometimes this is as simple as looking under the dash and securing the loose switch back on its holder on either the brake pedal or clutch lever.

The other part of this question can be internal to the transmissions or binding in the shift cables or rods.

Somewhere here I hope you have the answer you needed the first time it was answered.

For one thing, disconnect the Negative battery terminal. See if it has any effect on the mechanism in the key/switch area.

There had to be a reason for working on the vehicle in the first place.

Ford uses an Interlock system which links the Transmission position, Brake pedal, and starter/keyswitch into 1 group. The usual problem with Ford makes is the Brake pedal lever switch under the dash is prone to damage by the Drivers foot.

This is usually revealed by the lack of Brake lights. The "command" for the Interlock to work on some Models starts when the Brake pedal is pressed. This allows the starter to engage if the Gearshift is in the proper position. But what can happen is parts slip from their intended position and prevent the Interlock from realigning for the next start. (Enough that the Key can't be removed)

Now if you have the adjustable ingnition switch, there should be slots on the housing of the Ignition switch. Say you did position the Ignition switch properly, but the Ignition switch moved by itself; it probably was pulled up or down the steering column by the linkage with the Gearshift Interlock.

The Ignition switch is at the top end of the Interlock rod or cable that the Ignition switch is attached to. You may be able to move the part from the bottom of the steering column and push the ignition key back into positon to free itself topside for removal.

Another idea is the spring release on the Ignition key lock cylinder. With the lock tumblers spread out from the stuck key, there may be enough play to allow the key to release. The spring loaded tumbler release is under the steering column plastic housing, a nail or drillbit will fit in the hole to allow for triggering the release mechanism.

Also if you have a tilt steering wheel, the Geometry of the position of the steering column may lengthen or shorten the Ignition Key rod inside the column. It may be worth an attempt at repositioning the tilt feature.

I hope my solution is helpful, please rate my idea.

Can be several things. There is an interlock for the gearshift which must agree with the brake pedal showing your foot is on the brake. If anything is out of alignment, then the gearshift will not release.

Sometimes if you look at the Brakelight, a sure sign of problems is they refuse to light up when the pedal is pressed. The brake pedal interlock at the top of the brake pedal lever is out of place or broken. Once the switch is restored, everything should work again.

Sometimes if the steering wheel is not lined up, a release pin in the column will not let the interlock move. Tilt columns can often have this problem.

Hello, Look under the dash at the Brake pedal lever. What is happening to you is the part that senses your foot is on the Brake is out of alignment or broken. When you want to shift out of Park the switch on the Brake pedal lever sends a signal to release the Gearshift.

This part frequently gets hit by feet when you enter or exit the vehicle. Some people call this an Interlock switch. Sometimes the Brake lights will not work when this part is bad or out of alignment. Also make sure the Trigger in the Gearshift is not stuck, as the signal from the Interlock may be releasing the Gearshift, but the shifter will not move without the Trigger mechanism.

You should be on your way without a problem. I hope my solution is very helpful to you.

Look under the dash at the Brake pedal lever. The switch that operates the Brake system when you press the pedal to release the gearshift, is either broken or has been knocked around by a foot. This is fairly common. You will probably also find that the Brake lights don't work anymore.

You will need to reposition or replace this switch.

Welcome to FixYa.com

REMOVAL
1. Remove air cleaner and air intake hose assembly.
2. Remove center dash trim panel.
3. Remove center console cup holder assembly.
4. Remove floor console assembly.
5. Remove console side panels.
6. Remove Transmission Control Module ftMJ bracket.
1. Remove TCM.
8. Remove shifter cable from transaxle operating lever by removing nut and clip.
9. Remove shifter cable from shifter lever assembly by removing clip.
10. Remove shifter cable from shifter lever mechanism.
11. Remove cable from firewall grommet by removing grommet assembly nuts.
12. Remove gearshift cable from vehicle.
ADJUSTMENT
Lift and rotate the gearshift hand lever into the park (F9 gate position and remove the ignition
key. This confirms the shift lever is in the gated park (F9 position.
After confirming the park gate position. turn the ignition switch . If the starter will operate. the
park gate position is correct. Move the shift lever into the neutral (NJ position. If the starter
will operate in this position, the linkage is properly adjusted. If the starter fails to operate in
either position, linkage adjustment is required.
1. Park the vehicle on level ground and set the parking brake.
2. Place the gearshift lever in park (F9 gate position and remove key.
3. Loosen the cable adjustment screw at the transaxle operating lever.
4. Pull the transaxle operating lever fully forward to the park detent position.
5. Release the park brake, then rock the vehicle to assure it is in park lock. Reset the park
brake.
6. Tighten the cable adjustment screw to 8 Nm (10 inch Ibs.J. Gearshift cable should now be
properly adjusted.
1. Check adjustment by usinq the precedinq procedure.

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Kind Regards, Lee

Your Master Technician FixYa Expert

Check under the dash at the top of the brake lever. There are some plastic switches which can get hit by your feet. Since you have to step on the brake pedal to shift the transmission out of Park, that switch is probably broken or out of place.

You can have someone look at the brake lights and see if they light up when the pedal is pressed. Chances are that circuit is not working so the electric release for the gearshift will not work.

Solved. Wiring to switch on foot pedal disturbed by removing footwell carpet while cleaning. This switch activates unlocking from park position of automatic gear lever. Thanks