Transmission stuck in park! :(

[trndkll67]

My transmission refuses to shift out of Park. It doesn't engage in Reverse, Neutral or drive. Just sits in idle park.

The most recent tranny work I've done was a valve body sanding, and more recently I rebuilt my carb, but that shouldn't have much affect(I don't think).

Aside from the basics, I'm not well versed in Tranny work, so I'm up the creek right now....


Could anybody give me a hand?

[Gearhead999]

What year?? Which Trans??

[trndkll67]

1967 Coupe 302 C4(3-speed Automatic)

[Dark Knight]

I'd pull the linkage off the trans and see if the lever moves. Find out if it's the shifter, or trans. Try and move both arms.

[bmxmon]

wouldnt he want someone in the car while he does that, so he doesnt get run over?

[Gearhead999]

Yep, either someone in car or chock the car, with the parking brake on.

I'd guess that the valve body is jammed. You'll know when you pull the pan and LOOK.

[trndkll67]

Thanks Dave. If the valve body is jammed, what will be the indicator when I pull the pan?

[Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by bmxmon

wouldnt he want someone in the car while he does that, so he doesnt get run over?

Well, yeah... common sense Unless you put all four wheels on jackstands.

[fred414141]

.....................valve body sanding?........................

[Gearhead999]

After the pan is off, you'll see where the outside linkage goes to move the manual valve. Make sure it is in properly, if it is, pull the valve body and see if the valve is stuck.

My question too, "Valve Body Sanding"???? What is that ????

[trndkll67]

Valve Body "Sanding"- when you pull off the Valve body plates, springs, pistons, etc. and verify the piston and guide surfaces are all smooth. Knicks can be remedied with VERY fine grade sand paper. I didn't have to do any sanding, but everything was pull apart and re-assembled. I paid very close attention to getting everything back in place, maybe I missed something.

Is that the most like problem? My tranny isn't just dying on me is it?

[Gearhead999]

I think you'll find that the manual valve isn't in the correct position with the lever. This happens when you reinstall the valve body and the valve has to be positioned with the lever between two segments on the valve. Then you tighten the valve body up and jammed it. Hope you didn't bend the valve.

[trndkll67]

Ok, so this is what I'm looking at(I hope the picture uploads ok). This isn't what the C4 diagram in the Mustang Manual shows, so I'm a bit confused on why my tranny is different. It looks like you were right; I didn't realize the "hooked" lever needed to be seated a certain way. I guess it just popped free (when I wasn't looking) the first time I removed it. I just put the Valve Body back in and tightened her down.

The picture shows exactly what it looked like when I removed the VB earlier today. It was pressed against the "intermediate band struts" but nothing appears to be bent. The picture of the valve body shows the main valve piston(?) extended pretty far out. Not sure if its supposed to do that. It doesn't look bent though.

Also, there is another lever in there. Again it doesn't match my diagram. I assume that thing needs to be seated inside one of the ports on the VB (since it has a little metal "plug" sticking off its lever). Any idea which one?

Looking at them both, I'm not sure where the "hooked" lever is supposed to sit in relation to the main valve. (I think it fits into the groove at the end of the main valve piston) I took the external linkage spring off so I could move the "hooked" lever back and forth.

I guess my question is how in hell I get this thing shifting again. I assume I pull the "hooked" lever back, and seat it in the slot on the main valve piston. Seat the other lever into a port on the VB(which one I'm not sure). Replace the external spring. Reinstall the VB.

Hope this doesn't sound like a basketcase guys. I owe you all a beer if I get this thing shifting again!

[Gearhead999]

The little round part on the linkage goes in the groove on the manual valve on the valve body. It can be a real pain in the a$$ to get lined up.

Make sure it works, moves, before you install the pan.

The other lever is for downshift. It is a plunger in the valve body.

[trndkll67]

Okay, let me give that a try.

Does the "hooked" lever get pulled back (towards the rear) and then install the valve body befoe it springs back? Does that lever have to seat anywhere imparticular?

Thank's alot!!!!