HELP!!!! Tranny stuck in PARK [Archive] - MercuryMarauder.net Forums

juno

11-08-2005, 07:01 PM

Now that doesn't do me any good!! The shifter button won't press in to release the shifter from park. I did manage to force the button in with two hands. Is this a linkage issue? TIA!!!

2003DOHC

11-08-2005, 07:16 PM

Now that doesn't do me any good!! The shifter button won't press in to release the shifter from park. I did manage to force the button in with two hands. Is this a linkage issue? TIA!!!

You do have the engine running and the brake pedal depressed?

Donny Carlson

11-08-2005, 07:37 PM

Now that doesn't do me any good!! The shifter button won't press in to release the shifter from park. I did manage to force the button in with two hands. Is this a linkage issue? TIA!!!

Most likely, your brake light relay has blown. There's a safety interlock that prevents the shifter from allowing you to move out of park if the brake lights aren't working. I know this because the exact same thing happened on my previous Ford, a Taurus, only i was able to drive it right to the dealer, who fixed it by replacing the tail light relay.

Easy way to check? Stand behind your car and have somebody step on the brakes. No lights, it's the relay.

GarageMahal

11-08-2005, 11:02 PM

It it is the relay, you should be able to turn the key to unlock the column but not all the way to run (no power to dash, radio, etc) and then shift into N. Now start the car and go directly to dealer.

jta

Petrograde

11-09-2005, 03:44 AM

I had a similar problem a while back, I replaced the brake light fuse,... it worked. No problems since.

MERCMAN

11-09-2005, 05:21 AM

It it is the relay, you should be able to turn the key to unlock the column but not all the way to run (no power to dash, radio, etc) and then shift into N. Now start the car and go directly to dealer.

jta

ERR, there is no column lock on the MM!!

juno

11-09-2005, 06:30 AM

Thanks for the info!
It occured just as I finished hooking up the trailer harness.
What a coincidence!
I will check the fuses first.

JohnE

11-09-2005, 09:52 AM

To temporarily get around this, you should be able to turn the key to Accessory, then move the shifter to Neutral, and then start the car.

John

DPVLN

11-09-2005, 10:09 AM

Did someone happen to spill soda in the center console area? I had a Vette with this problem, girlfrien spilled a big gulp in console and I had to take it apart and clean it out. This fixed it right up.

juno

11-09-2005, 10:19 AM

Did someone happen to spill soda in the center console area? I had a Vette with this problem, girlfrien spilled a big gulp in console and I had to take it apart and clean it out. This fixed it right up.

No, but that did happen to my Discovery a few years back. I believe it was a momosa though. :)

David Morton

11-09-2005, 08:52 PM

...girlfrien spilled a big gulp in console...Hey man! You know Logan don't want none of that lewd talk here! Big gulp. Geeze man you trying to get yourself banned?

:lol:

It's called a "bitsy" solenoid, jargon for Brake/Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) solenoid.

Default is no power=off. But there's more...

... apparently on my 2004, it is locked in by the key position as well through a mechanical linkage. Key to accessory (counter-clockwise) and it is still on. This could be because it's being powered or because of the key cylinder linkage. Key on (run) and power is on so it is on. But there is a detent position for the key just before the run position, no dash lights and the clock is still off. In this position, the bitsy will unlock without your foot on the brake but the key will not come out until the shift lever is returned to park firmly. It's slightly more effort to push but you can tell your not forcing anything, just pushing the solenoid off of the shifter pawl. Then the engine will start but don't take your thumb off the button until you're in gear.

juno

11-10-2005, 06:46 AM

Thanks for all the quick responses!! It was indeed the brake lite fuse. I shorted it while connecting the trailer wiring. Everything is back to normal now!

drgnrdr33

11-22-2005, 01:39 AM

The same thing happened to me today. Per this post, I checked my fuses. Brake light fuse is OK but brake light on/off switch fuse (#22) was blown = no brake lights. I replaced the fuse. When I pushed the pedal the brake lights went on for about a second then the fuse blew again. Gotta dig deeper now..... :mad: I have not been messing with any lighting or other electrical lately so who knows what I will find.