2.8 Auto Stuck In Park

[suncroft21]

kello i have got a 1998 2.8 auto which up to today as been running fine been using it all day parked up put it in park gone to it ten minutes later and now stuck in park wont select any gears so cant move the car any ideas what it could be

[MrT]

The brake light switch on the pedal or the cable sticking that runs to the ignition lock are two possible causes.

 

When in Park there should be a light in the dash the looks like a circle with a pedal in it, this should go out when you put your foot on the brake and come on again a few seconds after you release the brake pedal if you do not put it in gear. If this does not happen suspect the brake pedal switch. This brake switch needs to work before the gearbox will move from Park. You should also hear a relay or solenoid type click from the gearbox area when you press the pedal.

 

There is also a bowden type mechanical cable that runs between the ignition lock and the gearbox which prevents you removing the key when in gear and I think it also works the other way around, check this is not stuck.

 

After this you need to look at the other parts of the interlocking mechanism or the gearbox controls.

[Sigma5]

The brake light switch on the pedal or the cable sticking that runs to the ignition lock are two possible causes.

 

When in Park there should be a light in the dash the looks like a circle with a pedal in it, this should go out when you put your foot on the brake and come on again a few seconds after you release the brake pedal if you do not put it in gear. If this does not happen suspect the brake pedal switch. This brake switch needs to work before the gearbox will move from Park. You should also hear a relay or solenoid type click from the gearbox area when you press the pedal.

 

There is also a bowden type mechanical cable that runs between the ignition lock and the gearbox which prevents you removing the key when in gear and I think it also works the other way around, check this is not stuck.

 

After this you need to look at the other parts of the interlocking mechanism or the gearbox controls.

 

If you selected park then allowed the car to roll it may have locked up, you just need to rock the car back & forth & then try selecting - very common, hope this helps