OEM 2002 Ford Explorer Shift Cable

2002 Ford Explorer Shift Cable Parts Q&A

• Q: How to Ensure Proper Functioning of the Shift Cable in a 2002 Ford Explorer?

  A: The shift cable servicing requires starting with placement of the gearshift lever at neutral position. Friginate the back up power supply until it depletes fully by disconnecting the ground cable of the battery and the auxiliary batteries when equipped. First detach the screws securing both the lower steering column opening finish panel and each screw from the lower steering column shroud. The following step involves removing all four screws which bind the wire shield while you disconnect both shift cable installations from the transmission selector lever arm and support and from the bracket. Squeeze the two shift cable retainer lock tabs above the bracket while disconnecting the tabs and push the rubber grommet through the bulkhead. Apply a lift to the vehicle followed by disconnecting the shift cable from manual control lever and shift cable bracket before taking out the shift cable from the vehicle. Lower the vehicle after you remove the bolts that secure the shift cable bracket. Position new shift cable retainers on the shift cable where the washers should have their shiny surfaces facing upward. The bulkhead opening accepts the shift cable without installing the rubber grommet at this time. After raising then supporting the vehicle lift the shift cable downward before lowering the vehicle. At this time install the shift cable retainer onto the bracket so its retainer clip slips into proper position. After installing the shift cable between bracket and transmission selector lever arm support it is time to reinstall the wire shield using four screws. Begin by installing the rubber grommet into the bulkhead opening followed by placing the lower steering column shroud before using the three screws to fasten it with the lower steering column opening finish panel last. First adjust the gearshift lever to first gear position by rotating it clockwise and then rotate it counterclockwise to position D while hanging a weight of 1.4 kg (3 lb) onto the gearshift lever. Position the shift cable bracket while sustaining the vehicle and attach the bolts. Use the manual control lever to move forward until it reaches maximum then move it back to its standard position in D. The shift cable adjustment lock has a raised tab which needs lifting to expose the unlock position when replacing the original cable. Installation of the shift cable requires connection between the shift cable bracket and manual control lever and unlocking the shift cable adjustment lock by removing its securing band when performing new shift cable installation. After moving the shift cable adjustment lock to its locked position users should lower the vehicle and reconnect the battery ground cable while uninstalling the added weight. The procedure requires confirmation that engine startup works properly in park and neutral positions as well as verification that the reversing lamps activate in reverse mode. Shift cable adjustments are necessary according to results while digital transmission range (TR) sensor calibration should be performed as needed.