Won't shift out of park

Brake-shift interlock The brake-shift interlock feature prevents you from shifting from P(Park) unless the brake pedal is depressed (with the ignition in the On position). If you cannot move the gearshift out of P(Park) with the brake pedal depressed: 1. Turn ignition key to Off. 2. Apply the parking brake. 3. Turn ignition key to Lock and remove the key. 4. Re-insert the ignition key and turn it to Off. 5. Shift the transmission to N(Neutral). 6. Start the vehicle. If you need to use the above procedure, it is possible that a fuse has blown and your brakelamps may not be functioning. Refer to the Roadside emergencies chapter for instructions on replacing fuses.

Brake switch, shift interlock solenoid or bad transmission range selector. Shift interlock won't let you shift out of park unless your foot is on the brake. So brake pedal starts the cycle. Next, the vehicle has to be in either park or neutral. So power flows from the brake switch through the transmission range selector which then sends power to the shift interlock solenoid which moves a pin out of the way, allowing you to shift out of park.

Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control System
The automatic transmission shift lock control is a safety device that prevents an inadvertent shift out of PARK when the ignition is ON. The driver must press the brake pedal before moving the shift lever out of the PARK position. The system consists of the following components:
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The automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid.

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The automatic transmission shift lock control switch.

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The park/neutral position switch.

With the ignition in the ON position, battery positive voltage is supplied to the park/neutral position switch. When the transmission is in the PARK position the contacts in the park/neutral position switch are closed. This allows current to flow through the switch to the automatic transmission shift lock control switch. The circuit continues through the normally-closed switch to the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid. The automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid is permanently grounded. This energizes the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid, locking the shift linkage in the PARK position. When the driver presses the brake pedal the contacts in the automatic transmission shift lock control switch open, causing the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid to release. This allows the shift lever to move from the PARK position.
Park Lock Solenoid
The park lock solenoid is a safety device that prevents an inadvertent shift out of PARK when the key is in the OFF position. The key must be in the RUN position to release the park lock solenoid. The system consists of the park lock solenoid. With the ignition in the ON position, voltage is supplied to the park lock solenoid. The park lock solenoid energizes through a permanent ground unlocking the shift lever. With the ignition in the OFF or ACCY position the park lock solenoid de-energizes and locks the shift lever in the park position.
Shift Lever Does Not Move with Brake Pedal Depressed
DEFINITION: Transmission shift lever will not move out of the PARK position with the ignition ON and the brake pedal pressed.

1

Did you perform the Symptoms - Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control tests and all the necessary inspection?
Go to Step 2
Go to Symptoms - Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control

2

1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Attempt to move the shift lever out of the PARK position.

Does the shift lever move out of the PARK position?
Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems
NO Go to Step 3

3

1. Turn OFF the ignition.
2. Disconnect the automatic transmission shift lock control switch.
3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal.
5. Attempt to move the transmission shift lever out of the PARK position.

Does the transmission shift lever move out of the PARK position?
Go to Step 6
Go to Step 4

4

1. Turn OFF the ignition.
2. Disconnect the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid.
3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF
4. Press and hold the brake pedal.
5. Attempt to move the transmission shift lever out of the PARK position.

Does the transmission shift lever move out of the PARK position?
Go to Step 7
Go to Step 5
Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 10
Go to Step 9

6

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the automatic transmission shift lock control switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition?
Go to Step 10
Go to Step 8

7

Repair the short to battery positive voltage in the A/T shift lock control solenoid supply voltage circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you complete the repair?
Go to Step 10
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8

Replace the automatic transmission shift lock control switch. Refer to Stop Lamp Switch Replacement in Lighting Systems.
Did you complete the replacement?

I had this problem with my grand marquis. it is a simple fix.
replace the brake light switch behind the brake pedal.
one way to drive with this problem is to turn key almost to the ON POSITION BUT NOT ALL THE WAY then put the car in neutral and then start the car and put in to drive.

Check to see if you have brake lights if not fix the switch on brake pedal. If yes you need to look at the shift interlock system, normally a little white box just below the key on the column. On fords you can put key in and turn a little bit so it's straight vertical and shift to neutral then start it. Your problem is with the shift interlock system that gets activated with the press of brake pedal

Could be the brake switch or the shift lock solenoid. You may be able to turn the key lock to the unlock position, move the shifter out of park, then start the engine in neutral.
The shifter and the shift lock solenoid would need to be inspected.

Sound like a problem with the Neutral Ssafety Switch, this is located on top transmission (generally) and its possible that need some adjust.

If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of P (Park) with ignition in
the RUN position and the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the
key.
2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF. Apply the brake pedal and shift to N
(Neutral). This allows the automatic transmission shift lever to be
moved from the P (Park) position without the brake pedal
depressed.
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle's brakelamps are not
operating properly.

Check the brake pedal position sensor to see if it is lose or malfunctioning. Most late model cars will not allow you to move the gear shifter out of park unless the Brake Pedal is depressed and you are pushing a release button on the shifter. An emergency bypass on some cars will allow you to shift from park to Neutral with the CAR TURNED OFF and the key just turned to on. Try that also and if it allows you to move to Neutral you can start in neutral and then with brake held in you can shift back to Drive. If this doesn't work you may have an antitheft interlock preventing you from operating the shift lever or some linkage to release the shifter may have broken or come lose from a connector.

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.