Can't get key out of ignition, T4R doesn't know it's in park..

[RomanTPA]

2000 4R Limited 4x4 auto trans.

When I got home last night the car wouldn't let me pull the key out of ignition.
Car is in "P", but car doesn't know that it's in "P". I can also shift out of "P" to any other position without touching brake pedal or starting the car. I can turn it on start engine no problem. Key turns everything off no ACC are on, but just can't get the key out.

It's got to be something in the shifter mechanism that's a switch or something that knows when shifter is all the way up.

Please help.

 

[tarsun]

my guess would be neutral safety switch or the prndl switch.

but you're going to want to get confirmation on that.

 

[RomanTPA]

my guess would be neutral safety switch or the prndl switch.

but you're going to want to get confirmation on that.

It's not that,

I can start the car no problem,
I can drive the car no problem,
I can switch through all gears no problem,
I can turn off the engine and ACC no problem,

but I cannot get the key out because T4R doen't know that it's in "P"


EDIT: This video shows what's happening, but doesn't explain the cause.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFpt4db6rAA

 

[RunnerLimited]

It's not that,

I can start the car no problem,
I can drive the car no problem,
I can switch through all gears no problem,
I can turn off the engine and ACC no problem,

but I cannot get the key out because T4R doen't know that it's in "P"

This happens to me occasionally when I first bought the car from someone
I had it on my driveway and i couldn't get the key to come out even when it was on park. Called the previous owner and he told me to push the Lever forward more and I heard a click and i was able to get the key out.

Seems like when I put it in "P" it doesnt really "disengage" it at P it just need a little push forward.
You dont have to press the top button on that Lever, just push it. Hopefully that make sense, but it happens every time I Park, so its just a habit now to just push it further AFTER putting it in Park.

 

[RomanTPA]

push it further AFTER putting it in Park.

I've tried doing that and no dice.

I found this video that explains one of the possible causes:

https://youtu.be/ijJeiIIkIMc

 

[jsukey]

I have the same issue in mine. It's the switch on the shifter itself. It may have a broken or worn piece inside, or it may just need to good greasing. Mine was worn, but greasing it definitely helped. The OEM grease had become tacky and was causing it to stick and wear even harder on it from what I could tell. Access it by removing the shifter bezel. From there, use a phillips head screwdriver to remove the gear indicator. The issue lies in the white assembly on the right side of the shifter. It can be removed by a few phillips head screws as well. I was able to spot the issue once I looked at, and figured out the functionality of it.

 

[jsukey]

Here is a pic of the assembly I'm referring to. Doesn't take but a couple of minutes to remove it.

 

[jsukey]

Ohh my sweet baby Jesus, that pic is enormous and upside down. You get the idea though!

 

[jsukey]

Funny! I just watched your video, and the very next video that was on auto play showed the same problem that I'm referring to with instruction on how to fix it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijJeiIIkIMc

 

[RomanTPA]

Good info, thank you!

 

[PayTaxesHailSatan]

I had this same problem just the other week. Thanks for posting this.

 

[RomanTPA]

Of course ... as soon as I take it apart it starts working no problem...

I fiddled with everything and nothing sticks or acts abnormal. :/

If anyone is interested how to get to it <5min :

1. Pull the black cup holder plastic straight up, its clip in

2. Pull shifter bezel up and back, you need shifter in "2" or "L" to clear over it

3. Remove 1 screw from side panel and remove front tab (if you still have it)

4. Slide the side panel forward and down

Now you see what [MENTION=20809]jsukey[/MENTION] has posted earlier and what you see in youtube video

 

[Renegade_Medic]

Just had this issue. If you push the shifter to the right as you slowly put into park and release the button, it should grab if you keep holding it to the right. I ended up replacing my blown out shifter bushings and then using a pipe and a sledge to move the bracket this sensor arm sits on closer to the shifter. Works like a charm now.

If you follow the passenger side of the shifter arm down into the inside, under where the trim is at, youll see a little metal shaft sticking out of the side of the shifter arm. If you actuate the button on the shifter, it should move that little metal shaft up and down. As you put it in park, this little arm grabs a white plastic piece and lifts it up, letting it know it's in P.

 

[RomanTPA]

Just had this issue. If you push the shifter to the right as you slowly put into park and release the button, it should grab if you keep holding it to the right. I ended up replacing my blown out shifter bushings and then using a pipe and a sledge to move the bracket this sensor arm sits on closer to the shifter. Works like a charm now.

If you follow the passenger side of the shifter arm down into the inside, under where the trim is at, youll see a little metal shaft sticking out of the side of the shifter arm. If you actuate the button on the shifter, it should move that little metal shaft up and down. As you put it in park, this little arm grabs a white plastic piece and lifts it up, letting it know it's in P.

I know exactly what you're saying, but everything lines up for me and works as designed. I'm stumped that I can't replicate the issue after taking everything apart.

BTW, I also recently changed out 4 of those shifter bushings. I think I need to to try your hammering fix if it happens again. I think we all would appreciate if you could point out in a picture exact spot to hammer on for re-alignment.

 

[tarsun]

wow, i was WAY off.
good call on all the follow up stuff.

did you ever figure out the root cause?

 

[RomanTPA]

wow, i was WAY off.
good call on all the follow up stuff.

did you ever figure out the root cause?

Nope, it fixed itself.

 

[RomanTPA]

I give up trying to figure out what causes the problem sporadically. I ended up just removing the safety thing from the ignition lock.

what this guy did:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFpt4db6rAA

 

[jsukey]

I noticed that my problem has gone away after I lubed that mechanism. I also try to take my time when shifting it back to park from drive. I normally just slap it up in park. I think that's where the wear and tear on those parts really comes into play.

 

[Bumbo]

Perhaps we can consider it a feature... with the key built it, id add push button start and now you have a 5th Gen Limited

 

[whyzee125]

2000 4R Limited 4x4 auto trans.

When I got home last night the car wouldn't let me pull the key out of ignition.
Car is in "P", but car doesn't know that it's in "P". I can also shift out of "P" to any other position without touching brake pedal or starting the car. I can turn it on start engine no problem. Key turns everything off no ACC are on, but just can't get the key out.

It's got to be something in the shifter mechanism that's a switch or something that knows when shifter is all the way up.

Please help.

Next time it happens, disconnect the battery and see if ti'll work. If it does, it's the neutral safety lock module not realizing it's in park, likely because of worn shifter bushings. In my old 96, I just unplugged it. It's right under the shifter panel to the front/left of the shifter.