A/T lockout question

[pbm]

My daughters friend from college is visiting us and has an older Ford Escort.
The mechanism that prevents the A/T from leaving PARK until the brake pedal is applied is not working which requires that she use a small screwdriver to depress the 'bypass' each time she goes from PARK into gear. She says it's been like that since she got the car. What is the fix for this? Thanks.

Sorry if my terminology isn't correct.

 

[eljefino]

There should be a little solenoid under the shifter handle. If you want to fix it right, check the operation of the solenoid. It "should" be non-blocking without power, but "could" be the other way around. Incidentally many cars let you turn the key to "accessory" and take the car out of park-- the solenoid is powered only under "run".

The ghetto fix of course is to find the solenoid, remove it, and chuck it. The bypass mechanism will lead you to this solenoid.

 

[pbm]

Thanks for the quick and informative reply Eljefino.
I'll take a look at it before she leaves.

As someone who spent many years working in the South Bronx and Harlem I got a kick out of your term 'ghetto fix'. I've seen a lot of this and sometimes it's smarter and far more cost effective than the 'correct' way.....of course sometimes it's a disaster.

 

[Trav]

Lots of GM W bodies running around with the "Ghetto fix". I wouldn't fix mine any other way after sitting in the car for an hour trying to get the key out and lock the steering wheel.
I chucked the little plastic solenoid in the bin and haven't had any trouble since.

 

[michaelluscher]

Originally Posted By: pbm
the 'correct' way.....

Chuck said solenoid, then explain the way it works after to her.

 

[zzyzzx]

Try the Ford Escort website here:
http://www.feoa.net
It's been discussed there many times. Personally I have never had it happen in the 222K miles on my 1995LX that I bought new in October 1995.