I have a 87 thunderbird that will not shift out of park even when the brake peddle is depressed.how do i get it to shift?

margog85

I'm not a car expert- but I had a similar problem. Apparently there's some kind of latch or switch connected to the brake that allows you to shift- mine snapped and broke off, and I wasn't able to shift out of park. Fooled around with it for a LONG while and somehow it went into drive and I took it straight to the shop- fixed it pretty quickly. Not sure of the cost to fix though, I still had a warranty on my car when it happened, and got it fixed inexpensively.
Hope that helps!

N0help4u

I had the same or similar problem this past month. It was the safety neutral switch wore out and wasn't connecting the shifter with the ignition. If you can't find a mechanic to come to your house to fix it you may have to get it towed to a garage on a flat bed.
Due to knucklehead mechanic complications, I had to replace my whole steering column and it cost 150. for a column from the junk yard and 60. to the guy I had come and fix it.

KeepItSimpleStupid

When I was about 16, I did a bad thing. I put the car in park when it was still moving. I chipped a tooth on the parking ratchet. I never knew when it would jam. Usually rocking the car got it free. One time, I had to get out the bumper jack to release the tension. Those were the days.

Modern cars have a little cap near the shifter. If you remove the cap, you can release the car out of park with a screwdriver.

glennmarilyn

Hi the first thing you need to check do you have brake lights?? if the brake lights are out or no battery charge the release switch will not allow the automobile to come out of park...