Make sure your car is on.
I looked at my 1995 Ford Explorer owners manual and it shows : If you cannot shift from Park with the brake pedal depressed : a . Apply the parking brake b . Remove the key c . Insert the key and rotate one position clockwise ( ignition OFF ) d . Depress the brake pedal and shift to Neutral e . start the vehicle If you need to shift out of Park by using the procedure above , it is possible that a fuse has blown and that your brake lights might not be working ( fuse # 10 - 10 amp - brake shift interlock / fuse # 13 - 15 amp - stop lamps ) verify that your brake lights are working before you drive the vehicle
Put your foot on the brake.
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Align the shift indicator orreplace it. Your problem is strictly column mechanical.
Hey Susan==Drinks and coffee can get spilled on the console and gear shift lever. It needs to be taken apart and cleaned and possibly the shifter repaired. GoodluckJoe The shift interlock (device that makes it so you can't pull the shifter out of park unless you have the brake pressed) could also be broken
Shift cable needs to be adjusted.
You can not adjust the shift cable if you have having problems to where your exploer will not go into park then you will need to buy a new shift cable that is the only way to fix the problem
brake/shift interlock switch needs replacing
It is possibly the shift interlock solenoid either defective or out of adjustment.
It could be a bad brake light switch. You have to step on the brake to shift it out of park.
If your 2004 Ford Explorer won't shift out of park, it could be due to a faulty brake light switch, which prevents the shift interlock system from engaging. Another possibility is a problem with the gear shifter itself or the transmission linkage. Additionally, if the ignition system isn't functioning properly, it may also affect shifting. Checking these components should help identify the issue.