mosparky

My wife has an 02 escort with auto and floor shift and it just recently started to refuse to come out of park. The first time, out of desperation, I turned the steering wheel all the way to each extreme and it released as it should. This was probably just a coincidence, as it don't always do the trick. Most of the time I can't hear the brake interlock click, but it works. I guess it don't always make alot of noise. I'm guessing either the interlock solenoid ( for lack of a better name) isn't moving it's full travel ( possibly due to the recent cold weather) or the detent cable on the push button might be stretched.
Can somebody give me a clue how to get the center console out so I can observe and dianose the problem? Any input as to the cuase will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

bkever

There should be a release button somewhere around where the floor shifter is. I know on the 91 it is on the top right of the floor shifter cover. Looks like a button that you push forward or back.

mosparky

Thanks that's a big help. I found it. On the 02 theres a mysterious cover in that corner where no screw has a right to be. I always wondered what that was. I played with it awhile to be sure how it works, now I gotta wait til it screws up and see if that will fix it. Beats pulling the whole thing apart in the freezing weather.

bkever

Glad you found it. You can test it by pushing on it without the key in the ignition and see if it allows you to take it out of park.