Urgent Help Needed: Can't get my car out of park!!

[BodylessSHO]

Okay, the car starts fine, sounds fine, everything looks okay engine wise. However, my brakes are REALLY squishy (they've been wearing down for a while now, I've been waiting until this coming weekend for some time off to change them), and the lock won't let go of my shifter. Usually it lets go when I have my foot on the brake (break? ), but not anymore. I think it's pretty obviously a brake problem, but is it as simple as new pads, or something more serious?

Thanks in advance, and here's to a day of skipped classes right before spring break, just so I can get to work on Friday .

 

[cjaygo]

It may be your brake light switch that is located above your brake pedal. If your brake lights are not illuminating when you apply your brakes then that would be your culprit. Same thing happened to my dads 94 Cougar.

 

[BodylessSHO]

You're 100% correct. I just noticed that my lights go on when I just tap the brake, and then off again when I press harder. If the lights go on, I can put the car into drive. Thanks a lot, that will get fixed tomorrow if AutoZone (aka my work) has it. Any idea how hard it is to change?

 

[cjaygo]

Glad i could help. If you don't mind laying on your floor board and looking up your brake pedal, it's very easy to replace. 5-6 minutes tops. There may be a cotter pin that you will have to remove.

 

[BodylessSHO]

I don't mind anything as long as the car gets fixed easily .

 

[BodylessSHO]

Okay, so the switch was broken, but I noticed something else wrong while I was down there. One of the wires that plugs into the harness for the switch was hanging out. I shoved it back in and it's staying now, but should I silicone it in, or will it be fine the way it is?

 

[cjaygo]

Wow, that is exactly what happened to our cougar. It's a very bad design on Fords part. I did exactly what you did. I shoved the wire into the connector. It worked fine for 3 months and it decided to pop out at a very inconvenient time. I eventually went to the junk yard and soldered the wires together. You may want to use the silicone.