The gear shift selector will only go in the R and the N position

JEFFDUTY

MEMBER
1988 FORD F-150
95,000 MILES

I have a 1988 ford f-150, 4.9 v-6, with a/t. I had to replace the starter switch that is mounted on the steering column. My manual said to remove the steering coloum shroud, lower the column, and r/r the switch. After doing this, I re-assembled, but now the gear shift selector will only go int the R and the N position. It will not move to the forward gears. It seems like something is blocking it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

More than likely the shroud is not installed correctly. However, this could be a shifter cable issue.

So, we need to take the shroud down again and try to operate the shifter. If it still has an issue, then we have something going on with the shift cable.

Also, what I would suggest is lifting the rear tires just to take any load off the drive train and make sure the actual manual valve on the transmission is moving.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

It is hard to think how this may have happened in just changing the switch, but stranger things have happened, and I know that if the drive train is binding, the manual valve on these units can be hard to move.

Please see the info attached below and let us know what questions you have.

Thanks

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