Pinpoint TEST K: THE SHIFT CONTROL LINKAGE IS BINDING

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Monterey and 2004 Ford Freestar. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

K1 CHECK THE SHIFT CONTROL LINKAGE FOR DAMAGE
- Key in ACCESSORY position.
- Apply the brake pedal.
- Move the gearshift lever through the gear ranges.
- Does the gearshift lever go through all the gear ranges freely?
  Yes
  
  Concern is intermittent.
  
  No
  
  GO to K2.
K2 CHECK THE SHIFT CONTROL LINKAGE WITH THE SHIFT CABLE DISCONNECTED FROM THE TRANSAXLE
- Key in OFF position.
- Position the air cleaner housing outlet aside.
- Disconnect the shift cable from the manual control lever at the transaxle.
- Key in ACCESSORY position.
- Apply the brake pedal.
- Move the gearshift lever through the gear ranges.
- Does the gearshift lever go through all the gear ranges freely?
  Yes
  
  GO to K3.
  
  No
  
  GO to K4.
K3 CHECK THE MANUAL CONTROL LEVER AT THE TRANSMISSION
- Leave the shift cable disconnected from the manual control lever at the transmission.
- Move the manual control lever at the transmission through all the gear ranges.
- Does the manual control lever at the transmission go through all the gear ranges freely?
  Yes
  
  GO to K4.
  
  No
  
  Refer to Transaxle DISASSEMBLY . Problem may be internal to the transmission.
K4 CHECK THE SHIFT CONTROL LINKAGE OPERATION WITH THE SHIFT CABLE DISCONNECTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN
- Key in OFF position.
- Disconnect the shift cable from the steering column assembly.
- Key in ACCESSORY position.
- Apply the brake pedal.
- Move the gearshift lever through the gear ranges.
- Does the gearshift lever go through all the gear ranges freely?
  Yes
  
  INSTALL a new shift cable and bracket. Refer to TRANSMISSION SELECTOR CABLE .
  
  No
  
  Refer to STEERING SYSTEM for steering column repair.