Gear Shifted Locked/ Quick Fix

[justahobby]

After picking up some really great looking coral w/ my girlfriend and making acquantances with Rob AKA Mr Cob I got in a 2001 Ford Explorer. Mash the brake, pull the gear shift (which is attached to the steer column) and nothing. I pull harder, I pull slower, I even pull crooked to no avail. I turn the ignition on and off and even ask for Rob's help in rocking (up hill) this beastly clunker to try and dislodge an assumed stuck gear. A neighbor even comes from across the street to try and aid in our effort to get the Fix Or Repair Daily out this guy's driveway, where btw we have blocked two out of three of his vehicles. In the end we leave the car at his house and catch a ride back home. Come to find out through out this fiasco that it's a common problem and an easy solution. If you have not had this happen to you then this should help you in a sticky situation. You don't need to call a tow truck or a mechanic.

Solution: There is an emergency release located in the steering column that, once activated, you can drop you car in gear. It should tell you in your owners manual exactly where but No more being stuck not knowing what to do. I can't help but laugh at how I was out for over an hour and finally gave up when a quick release had been staring me in the face.

[Mr Cob]

It was fun!!! Nice meeting you Justin and Emily even under the circumstances! Pretty classic!

Thanks for posting this...I'm sure it will help someone later down the road...who would have ever thought? "Quick release button"... never heard of one...but definitely know now if that should ever happen to me or someone parked in my driveway crooked! LOL...

Oh and I also got something good out of it...found out my nieghbor's name is Clark...after calling him Cliff for two years!!! LOL!

pretty comical evening...