I have a 2002 Escort ZX2. Recently it hasn't been able to shift out of park. I've read posts about replacing the stop light switch. But there are 2 switches on the bracket. On the left is a blue switch that is a plastic housing. The one on the right is smaller and has a metal housing. The problem was intermittent for a while so I was able to try both switches to see which one controlled the release for the shifter. The smaller one on the right seemed to be the one that worked. The car has cruise control. Whenever I look up the part to purchase it, they always ask if I have cruise control and then tell me the large blue switch on the left is the one I need. But I'm not sure and that switch is much more expensive. I've tried buying the other switch from 2 different stores but neither one fits the wire harness. When I look up the part on Ford's website, they only show the blue switch. Can anyone clear this up for me?
Can't get out of park. Which switch do I replace?
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Best bet is to go directly to a Ford dealer. My guess it is not a brake switch and Ford decided to call it something else.
Also if it is only 2 wires you may be able to jump them together with a small wire at the harness to see if the switch is really bad.
Also if it is only 2 wires you may be able to jump them together with a small wire at the harness to see if the switch is really bad.
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i vote for the brake light switch
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:idea: Maybe we should post a poll...
Poppy -the brake lights do work. So does the cruise control.
Electro - I will check the fuse. Not too optimistic though since the problem was intermittent for a while. Maybe a bad wire. But I do seem to get power to the switch. And I do have a temp gauge issue. Might that be a fuse also?
Phantom - I still see the blue thing on the bracket.
Thanks to all who replied. This problem seemed easily solved but I'm learning that most are not.
Electro - I will check the fuse. Not too optimistic though since the problem was intermittent for a while. Maybe a bad wire. But I do seem to get power to the switch. And I do have a temp gauge issue. Might that be a fuse also?
Phantom - I still see the blue thing on the bracket.
Thanks to all who replied. This problem seemed easily solved but I'm learning that most are not.
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electro,
do you know where Ground G401 is located?
My documentation only goes to Y2K and it says it is at the right rear taillight, which does not make sense for this issue.
Helric1,
could be an intermittant bad ground, or any of the relays or soliniods in electro's diagram.
I'd check the ground, clean and tight.
do you know where Ground G401 is located?
My documentation only goes to Y2K and it says it is at the right rear taillight, which does not make sense for this issue.
Helric1,
could be an intermittant bad ground, or any of the relays or soliniods in electro's diagram.
I'd check the ground, clean and tight.
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I realize I am late getting in on this and I am not sure if the issue is resolved or not. I have seen cases where coffee or some other drink get's spilt in the shifter console and it's usually the shift lock actuator/solenoid that is the culprit.
If, I remember correctly, inside that shifter console is the shift lock actuator/solenoid. On the shifter quad in the upper right corner area is a small round button type plug, you should be able to pop the plug out and stick a, pen, for lack of better idea right now, inside and push down to manually override and release it out of park.
Similar idea, to unlocking a small child who has locked themselves in the bathroom thing.
Hope this helps
If, I remember correctly, inside that shifter console is the shift lock actuator/solenoid. On the shifter quad in the upper right corner area is a small round button type plug, you should be able to pop the plug out and stick a, pen, for lack of better idea right now, inside and push down to manually override and release it out of park.
Similar idea, to unlocking a small child who has locked themselves in the bathroom thing.
Hope this helps
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Is that the technical term? I was seriously steering away from calling it dohickie, thingie, whachamacallit.... and the most current diagram for Escorts I have are for 1999 and it's only a side view, so I was working off memory.......ugh.....
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I dont know what the switch was called. On some cars it was located on the base of the shifter. You could move it if the shifter would not shift out of park.
Anyway A dealer will have the correct switch or tell you what it is called. Some parts are dealer only.
Anyway A dealer will have the correct switch or tell you what it is called. Some parts are dealer only.
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Yeah, very common on the Asian cars. Usually a slot where the key fits in.
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