Community Forums

Bilito1 · 01-28-2025, 02:41 PM

HI guys and gals,

Got a problem. My 1991 Silver Eagle has been sitting for a long time, I just wanted to move it, but I cannot get the gear shift out of park. The battery is dead.

It is a big Ford V8 with an auto tranny. I turn the ignition key to the start position and the steering free unlocks, but I cannot move the shift lever. What should I do.

92LandYacht · 01-28-2025, 02:44 PM

Will it start? Have you put your foot on the brake?

d23haynes57 · 01-28-2025, 03:07 PM

You need to get power for the brake pedal interlock to release the gear shifter.
Otherwise start taking stuff apart.

Bilito1 · 01-28-2025, 03:14 PM

Will a 12v battery charger provide enough juice to unlock the interlock?

Mark_K5LXP · 01-29-2025, 06:17 AM

The shift solenoid itself doesn't take a lot of power but if you're connecting a power source to the absent battery point, when you turn on the key anything and everything that runs with the key on will be drawing power. So, the fuel pump briefly, instrument cluster, engine computer, various sensors and solenoids. Some battery chargers are "smart" and won't provide power unless they detect a connected battery so that could be a problem too. I would think a nominal 10A non-smart charger would do it, or, just use jumper cables from a nearby vehicle.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

Bilito1 · 01-29-2025, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark_K5LXP

The shift solenoid itself doesn't take a lot of power but if you're connecting a power source to the absent battery point, when you turn on the key anything and everything that runs with the key on will be drawing power. So, the fuel pump briefly, instrument cluster, engine computer, various sensors and solenoids. Some battery chargers are "smart" and won't provide power unless they detect a connected battery so that could be a problem too. I would think a nominal 10A non-smart charger would do it, or, just use jumper cables from a nearby vehicle.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

PROBLEM SOLVED

Turned key to ON, pressed down Hard on brake Pedal, The Shifter Moved easily to Neutral.

Thanks everyone, I re-learned stuff I forgot about starting the motor.

Bilito1 · 01-29-2025, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilito1

PROBLEM SOLVED

Turned key to ON, pressed down Hard on brake Pedal, The Shifter Moved easily to Neutral.

Thanks everyone, I re-learned stuff I forgot about starting the motor.

OK New Issue
I now have the gearshift lever in neutral. I have it connected to my jeep Grand Cherokee 4wd w/V8 motor.

Yesterday I gave it a tug trying to get it out of Park and all I got was a small rotation of the wheels on the RV, about an inch or two
Today I tried it again with the shift now in Neutral, same result as yesterday.

How can I be sure it is really out of Park and in Neutral??

I used to tow a 25 ft sailboat, around 8,000 lbs with the jeep, the RV weighs 13,000, I think it should move.

Some more info.... I tried to tow it with the jeep in reverse due the way everything is parked. Does the Jeep have more pulling power in FWD or REV.

twinboat · 01-29-2025, 01:30 PM

Was the parking brake on ? If yes, the shoes may be rusted to the drums. It may take a nudge foward or back to free them.

The Jeep will pull until the tires spin in 1st or reverse.

Unplanned Tourist · 01-29-2025, 01:39 PM

Crawl under and see if there's what looks like a brake drum on the back of the transmission or front of the rear diff. You might have a AAPB (Auto Applied Park Brake) that needs the engine running to release.

Bilito1 · 01-30-2025, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

Was the parking brake on ? If yes, the shoes may be rusted to the drums. It may take a nudge foward or back to free them.

The Jeep will pull until the tires spin in 1st or reverse.

I found when pulling in rev. only the front tires started to spin, I thought all four might spin???? When I felt them start to spin I let off the gas, don't wish to break anything else

92LandYacht · 01-30-2025, 04:52 PM

Sounds like the parking brake is locked up.

Bilito1 · 02-02-2025, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unplanned Tourist

Crawl under and see if there's what looks like a brake drum on the back of the transmission or front of the rear diff. You might have a AAPB (Auto Applied Park Brake) that needs the engine running to release.

I did not crawl under, but I looked under and there right after the tranny and just in front of the front universal is a large drum looking thing.

If that is it, how do I unlock it?

92LandYacht · 02-02-2025, 03:35 PM

The key needs to be in the ON position and you need to move the shifter from park to drive. Not sure if the engine needs to be running or not. It does on mine. You also need to make sure the manual emergency brake is released. At least that's how it works on my P30 based auto brake. The parking brake is hydraulic released, and spring actuated.

Bilito1 · 02-02-2025, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92LandYacht

The key needs to be in the ON position and you need to move the shifter from park to drive. Not sure if the engine needs to be running or not. It does on mine. You also need to make sure the manual emergency brake is released. At least that's how it works on my P30 based auto brake. The parking brake is hydraulic released, and spring actuated.

My RV does not have a manual emergency brake, when you say the key needs to be in the ON Position, do you mean it has to have power, like the battery hooked up, any thoughts there?