2004 Ford Explorer V8 - stuck in park when parked on a slope

Maintenance/Repairs
1

I got a “good deal” on an Explorer and fixed a handful of problems, but discovered that it gets stuck in park. This only happens when it’s parked on a slope and the parking brake isn’t stomped down before putting in park and letting off the brake pedal. When pressure on the wheels/drivetrain is relieved by pushing the vehicle upslope or by jacking up a front wheels or two, then it comes out of park easily. (I’ve got a little bottle jack in the vehicle for such instances, but only have to use it when I forget to stomp the parking brake down.)

When I got the vehicle one of the problems was that the parking brake was completely loose. So I think the problem was originally caused by the previous owner always putting it in park and then letting the transmission take all the strain when parking on slopes.

If anybody has ideas what exactly the problem is and how to fix it, I’m all ears.

2

And that is your answer. Fully engage that parking brake BEFORE putting it in park and you’ll be good to go.

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3

Tester

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4

I’m wondering if you use your parking brake all the time or just on a hill. You should be using it all of the time, which should make it a habit that’s harder to forget.

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5

Is this an AWD (full time 4wd)??
If so are all 4 tires the exact same make and model and tread depth within about 3/32 of each other??
The transfer cases are picky on the full time (AWD) on those rwd based Explorers…

6

Likely classic parking-pawl bind. Check the shift-cable adjustment first, and make sure the parking brake is truly holding on a hill. If both are fine, the pawl inside the transmission is probably worn and needs a shop to inspect it.

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7

The elephant in the room:

Was the slope upward or downward?

I had to really pull down on the column shifter on my college car Buick to get it of park - I still remember that B A N G which spun around the heads of several students walking by where my car was parked up hill in a spot close to the campus building.

Also, the parking brake on my present 2010 Honda prevents it from rolling only when parked facing down-hill, not up.

8

I very much appreciate all the feedback and suggestions. Right after I posted that I happened to grab a new project car which is currently taking the spot in my “shop” (jacked up in the backyard). Once I get that moving I’ll get the explorer back there and see what I can see. For sure inspecting the linkage. Kinda planning on changing the transmission fluid and putting a new filter on just to get a look at the condition of things.

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