Shifter stuck in drive

[Churnandburn]

I took ownership of my 22 Lariat ER Lightning on December 22 from a dealership in Alabama. The vehicle was a mannequin, but barely had 200 miles on it. My wife and I took a road trip to visit family in Georgia for Christmas, and had a very easy trip despite the cold temps. I’ve been loving it so far (until today).

Today (Dec 26) I took my brother for a ride, and when I returned home I was not able to shift the truck to park. The shifter was stuck in drive with an amber flashing light next to the “D.” I tried power cycling the vehicle, turning off 1-pedal driving, and a few other things without any luck. The shifter was stuck in drive, but the dash indicated that it was in park. I went ahead called roadside assistance and Ford dispatched a tow truck (however emergency towing was greyed out on the dash).

While waiting on the tow, I popped the cover on the 12v battery and hooked it up to a jump battery pack as a last resort since the 12V seems to cause all sorts of unexplained issues. After 15 minutes, I turned the vehicle on and then back off, and the shifter automatically shifted to park.

I immediately drove to a dealership that said they could squeeze me in the same day to diagnose the issue. I received a call a few hours ago indicating that the vehicle software was “corrupt” and would require updating. When I pressed and asked additional questions, they could not provide much of a response, but expected that they could have it ready for pickup the following day.

Has anyone else experienced this issue? I know I am a few Sync updates behind since the dealer did not do a great job of staying on top of updates (no PAAK yet). It seems the shift issue exists in ICE F-150, but I could not tell if it translates to the Lightning.

Side note: I did receive a Powertrain malfunction error on the dash and through ford pass a couple of days ago while running errands, but the message went away the next time I started the vehicle. No issues since.

Sponsored

 

[GoGoGadgetTruck]

I'd put money on your 12V theory.

 

[kwalt21]

Has anyone else experienced this issue? I know I am a few Sync updates behind since the dealer did not do a great job of staying on top of updates (no PAAK yet). It seems the shift issue exists in ICE F-150, but I could not tell if it translates to the Lightning.

I had a shifter fault code come up on my Lightning a few weeks ago. It stated something with the shifter solenoid from what I can remember. Never had a issue shifting the truck back into park though..

The crazy part is we're now in a time where even the shifter has a computer module! No more linkage between the shifter and "transmission". ICE F-150s are the same. Even the shifters on the steering column!

I learned this when I snapped my shifter right off it's base when I had my '21 Powerboost. They had to "program" the new shifter so it would communicate with my truck!

 

[RegretFORD]

I bought the 23 PRO, I noticed that the shifter vibrated upon opening the door, it has gotten stuck in drive three times. Has 6k miles when this started.
The dealer I purchased from said wasn't covered by warranty as there was crumbs in the shifter. They never even took it apart. I questioned if a PRO version is so suseptible to crumbs, the PRO should change their clothes before driving from job site and no one is allowed to eat in the truck.
Took to second dealer, they ordered new shifter.
They have had the truck 3 weeks as also having a charge port issue, which the first dealer said to ignore the wrench light.
The second dealer, informed me the shifter is not covered because now the are claiming liquid was poured on it. Again, why put cup holders in the truck especially right next to shifter.
I called Ford, they are backing not covering it.

I should have gone with my gut and not trusted Ford again.

 

[invertedspear]

now the are claiming liquid was poured on it

Did you pour liquid on it? I mean, I agree that it's pretty bullshit that a little splash from a cup holder the thing sits next to could disable it. Kind puts a dent in their whole "work truck tough" image. Since you're going to be out the money anyway, there's a thread on this site where someone replaced the sifter with a dial shifter (from an expedition I think) mounted on the dash. Didn't look like too tough to DIY. Might be a good option for you.

 

[Zprime29]

Did you pour liquid on it? I mean, I agree that it's pretty bullshit that a little splash from a cup holder the thing sits next to could disable it. Kind puts a dent in their whole "work truck tough" image. Since you're going to be out the money anyway, there's a thread on this site where someone replaced the sifter with a dial shifter (from an expedition I think) mounted on the dash. Didn't look like too tough to DIY. Might be a good option for you.

It's pretty decent mod, not for the light hearted but definitely an option.
https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/rotary-shifter-possible.18630/post-406413

 

[RegretFORD]

Did you pour liquid on it? I mean, I agree that it's pretty bullshit that a little splash from a cup holder the thing sits next to could disable it. Kind puts a dent in their whole "work truck tough" image. Since you're going to be out the money anyway, there's a thread on this site where someone replaced the sifter with a dial shifter (from an expedition I think) mounted on the dash. Didn't look like too tough to DIY. Might be a good option for you.

You doesn't at some spill something, it's a truck that bounces. Just blows my mind that if that sensitive, why put next to cup holders.
I love the idea of the rotary knob, but what does that do to warranty?

 

[invertedspear]

but what does that do to warranty?

Everything else would still be under warranty. Warranties don't cover aftermarket parts, and won't cover any damage to anything your aftermarket alteration damages. But it's not really different than upgrading your sound system or something, changing your speakers doesn't invalidate the warranty covering your window motors. Changing your wheels doesn't alter coverage of your brakes.

If I was going to have to pay for the repair either way, I'd switch to the rotary dial shifter and get that extra space in the console

 

[RegretFORD]

This is getting crazier, the service manager is saying that there appears to have liquid spilled on it. I asked did you take it apart to see if penetrated the module he said no. I said wipe the liquid off and see if shows any way it leaked in. He said that would be warranty fraud. Asked if Ford gets the part back and deemed not from liquid would I get my money back, went silent. Plus he admitted he has changed out several for same issues.

 

[Gimme_my_MME]

This is getting crazier, the service manager is saying that there appears to have liquid spilled on it. I asked did you take it apart to see if penetrated the module he said no. I said wipe the liquid off and see if shows any way it leaked in. He said that would be warranty fraud. Asked if Ford gets the part back and deemed not from liquid would I get my money back, went silent. Plus he admitted he has changed out several for same issues.

Wipe it off and take it to a different dealer. If it really is just a surface spill it will be covered.

Sponsored