[DeBeer64]

Love my '08 350 but left work today and car turns on with full range of turning in steering wheel, but cannot shift out of park. I have tried putting it into 4 high and low, but still no luck. Anything I can do except have it towed to dealership? Any help appreciated don't want to have to go a few days with the beast. Thanks.

 

[MR176]

Check to make sure your brake light fuse is not blown. I'm not sure on the '08s, but you used to be able to bypass the brake/park interlock by turning the key forward far enough to unlock the steering wheel but not turn on the ignition, then shift the transmission into neutral and start the truck. Once the truck is started you can shift between all the gears as long as you don't put it back in park. Once again, be careful because if your brake/park interlock is not working correctly, many times your brake lights are not working either.

 

[Frndinalowplace]

i remember reading something about this in the manual. there is a switch that has to be reset under a small cover on the top of the steering column.

 

[F450Mikey]

Mine did it once and I just kept working the shifter and it eventually went into drive. It feels like there is a pin or keyway backed out not letting the lever move.

 

[CoolAqua]

2009 F-450 Sticking in Park

My 6 month old F-450 has recently started to stick in park. Its only happened about 3 or 4 times in the last couple of weeks. I start my truck, but when I try to move the shift lever out of park, the shift lever won't move out of the park position. So far I've been able to get it into gear by jiggling the shift lever, or by turnning the truck on and off. I'm concerned about getting stuck in the middle of nowhere and not being able to put the vehicle in gear. Does this sound like the park interlock switch or this a mechanical problem?

I have 11,000 miles on my truck, and have had troublefree operation so far. I did have the nav system replaced however under warranty.

 

[jimmy]

turn ignition key to a point just back of where the electrical system comes on and then move lever to neutral. If the safety shiftlock is the reason it is stuck then this will let it move out of P.

 

[compman72]

i remember reading something about this in the manual. there is a switch that has to be reset under a small cover on the top of the steering column.

That is true - tilt the wheel down and you will see the cover that can be removed.

Page 265-266
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OPERATION (IF EQUIPPED)
Brake-shift interlock
This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents
the gearshift lever from being moved from P (Park) when the ignition is
in the 3 (ON) position and the brake pedal is not depressed.
If you cannot move the gearshift lever out of the P (Park) position with
the ignition in the 3 (ON) position and the brake pedal depressed:
1. Apply the parking brake. Turn the
ignition key to 1 (OFF/LOCK), then
remove the key. Locate the access
cover plate for the brake-shift
interlock override. It is located on
top of the steering column shroud.
2. Apply the brake. Use a tool (or a
small screwdriver) to pry out the
access cover. Insert the tool into the
access hole and slide the white
override button towards the left.
Move the gear shift lever into N
(Neutral) while holding the white
override disc towards the left.
When the key is in the ignition and in the OFF position, the
automatic transmission shift lever can be moved from the P
(Park) position without the brake pedal depressed. To avoid unwanted
vehicle movement, always set the parking brake.
3. Start the vehicle.
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift lever,
it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle’s brakelamps are not
operating properly.

Refer to Fuses and relays in the Roadside
Emergencies chapter