Truck will not go in park

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Since it was stuck in a ditch, my fist suspect is the shifter cable was damage or the shift lever was bent. What I am going to provide are the directions for replacing the shifter cable that runs from in the truck to the transmission. However, before you replace it, secure the vehicle so it is safe to crawl under it and check the cable, the mount (which is easy to bend) and the lever. If you look at the first picture in the directions, it shows all three. My guess is that the mount that holds the cable has been bent. The result is the cable doesn't retract far enough to actually reach park. Do this first.

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42RE - Automatic Transmission
GEARSHIFT CABLE / REMOVAL
1. Shift transmission into PARK.
2. Raise vehicle.

Picture 1
Picture 2

3. Disengage cable eyelet at transmission shift lever and pull cable adjuster out of mounting bracket (Fig. 99) or (Fig. 100).
4. Lower the vehicle.

Picture 3

5. Remove the dash panel insulation pad as necessary to access the gearshift cable grommet (Fig. 101).
6. Remove grommet from the dash panel.
7. Remove any steering column trim necessary to access the gearshift cable and BTSI mechanism.
8. Disconnect the BTSI wiring connector.

Picture 4

9. Disconnect cable at lower column bracket and shift lever pin and pull the cable through the dash panel opening into the vehicle (Fig. 102).
10. Remove gearshift cable from vehicle.

Picture 5

INSTALLATION
1. Route the transmission end of the gearshift cable through the opening in the dash panel (Fig. 103).
2. Seat the cable grommet into the dash panel opening.

Picture 6

3. Snap the cable into the steering column bracket so the retaining ears (Fig. 104) are engaged and snap the cable eyelet onto the shift lever ball stud.
4. Raise the vehicle.
5. Place the transmission manual shift lever in the "PARK" detent (rearmost) position and rotate prop shaft to ensure transmission is in PARK.
6. Route the gearshift cable through the transmission mounting bracket and secure the cable by snapping the cable retaining ears into the transmission bracket and snapping the cable eyelet on the manual shift lever ball stud.
7. Lower vehicle.
8. Lock the shift cable adjustment by pressing the cable adjuster lock tab downward until it snaps into place.
9. Check for proper operation of the transmission range sensor.
10. Adjust the gearshift cable and BTSI mechanism as necessary.

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Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

Welcome back:

I have a feeling you bent the mount that holds the cable by the transmission. If you look at picture 1, it's the metal mount between the cable and the shift lever. If it is bent, the cable itself is not positioned right and causing the problem.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

Welcome back:

Honestly, it looks broken and bent. There should be two bolts holding it. I attached a picture of what it should look like.

Take a look and let me know.

Joe