93 Ford Escort Gear selector won't budge

1993 FORD ESCORT
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DIM1011
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1993 Ford Escort, 54000 miles. This just started happening this week, whenever I start the car from being parked overnight, the gear selector won't budge. Will this be fixed when I put transmission fluid? or is it done for? Thanks.
Mar 11, 2007 at 1:21 PM
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DIM1011
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anyone?
Mar 12, 2007 at 9:21 AM
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CRAIGFL
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I'm assuming this is an automatic transmission....

There is a lockout circuit(solenoid) that prevents you from moving the shift lever until you step on the brake. Sometimes the solenoid sticks or you can even blow the fuse to that circuit and not be able to move the lever. For this occasion, Ford was smart enough to put a manual bypass so it could still be operated in emergencies. It is behind the little plastic plug next to the shifter. You pry it out and push down thru the hole to bypass it. If in the end, this unlocks it, I would suspect something with the solenoid circuit.
Mar 12, 2007 at 12:44 PM
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