Can't shift out of park

[Definition]

I have a quick question...

So I get in my car randomly yesterday to go pick up something to eat, car won't shift out of park and my check engine light is on. My brake lights don't work either, I thought the solution to the shifting problem was the brake inter-lock behind the pedal. I order it, comes in today and still my car won't shift.. all fuses are ok, and bulbs are ok... It idle's normal...I can bypass the inter-lock brake and the car runs normal...just no brake lights.

As far as the check engine light it's the speed sensor, but my car idles normal... and I thought that had nothing to do with me not being able to shift.

Thanks..

Edit: By the way it's a 2000 V6 model... thanks again!

 

[blacked03ls]

was the car on an incline? i know with jag s-types between 2000-2002 that if there on an incline the car can get stuck into park so they recommand you use your e-brake at all times..

 

[napoleon1072]

I was going to say fuses until you said they were all ok

 

[eastcoastLS]

was the car on an incline? i know with jag s-types between 2000-2002 that if there on an incline the car can get stuck into park so they recommand you use your e-brake at all times..

that can go for all cars, i once had a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee get stuck in park ONCE and it happend after sitting over night on heavy incline. i've also heard of it happening before after i told some people about it.

 

[Frogman]

well, if your brake lights aren't working, did you check the brake pedal switch? That switch activates the brake lights, and I'm sure the park interlock.
Don't the LS's have a bypass feature by the shifter where you can insert something (I've seen the setups where you insert the ignition key) to release the park interlock?

 

[SoonerLS]

Don't the LS's have a bypass feature by the shifter where you can insert something (I've seen the setups where you insert the ignition key) to release the park interlock?

Nope, there's no bypass feature on the LS. Turn the key on and step on the brake, and it should release. There is a cable that pulls a lever on the shifter assembly to unlock the shifter, but I don't know for sure if it goes to the brake pedal or to a motor. (I'm also not sure about 1st Gen LSes; I've only seen the shifter assembly for a 2nd Gen LS.)

 

[joegr]

There is a bypass of sorts. Turn the key to unlock, but not to on (radio will still be off). You can now shift out of park to any gear. Shift to neutral and then turn the key to on and start it.

 

[eastcoastLS]

cannot start a lincoln ls in neutral, atleast mine wont start in neutral bc one time i didn't notice and it was in neutral and i was wondering why it wouldn't start. then i noticed and it all made perfect sense, put foot on the brake shifted to park and started it right up

 

[Frogman]

I don't think I've ever ran into a car that you cannot start in neutral....

Now, there are some FORD's that have the parking brake starter interrupt though.

 

[SoonerLS]

cannot start a lincoln ls in neutral, atleast mine wont start in neutral bc one time i didn't notice and it was in neutral and i was wondering why it wouldn't start. then i noticed and it all made perfect sense, put foot on the brake shifted to park and started it right up

According to the Owner's Guide, if you can't shift out of Park with the ignition in Run, you're supposed to set the parking brake, turn the ignition off, remove the key from the ignition, reinsert the key into the ignition, turn the key to OFF, step on the brake pedal, shift to N, then start the engine.

I have yet to see a properly functioning car that won't start in neutral--after all, if you have to do a rolling restart (eg, if your engine stalls on the freeway), shifting to Park is not a desirable action.

FWIW, the Owner's Manual also says that you won't be able to shift out of Park if there's a problem with a fuse or if the brake lights aren't operating properly. Since the fuses have already been checked, I'd start looking at the brake lights.

 

[eastcoastLS]

According to the Owner's Guide, if you can't shift out of Park with the ignition in Run, you're supposed to set the parking brake, turn the ignition off, remove the key from the ignition, reinsert the key into the ignition, turn the key to OFF, step on the brake pedal, shift to N, then start the engine.

I have yet to see a properly functioning car that won't start in neutral--after all, if you have to do a rolling restart (eg, if your engine stalls on the freeway), shifting to Park is not a desirable action.

true that. when my car wouldn't start b/c it was in neutral and the e-brake on, i didn't look much into it, just noticed it was in neutral put it in park and it started. but i've been through many push starts but never in any ls.
btw.... what is this?? FWIW??

 

[SoonerLS]

btw.... what is this?? FWIW??

FWIW = For What It's Worth