Key sticking in Park

[Tom_G]

Aloha all!
99 Ford Ranger XLT.
I just had a fair bit of work done on the shift linkage. The neutral safety switch was replaced, and also the plunger and bushings in the steering column. These to alleviate some pretty serious "loose shifter" woes. Oh, also got a new bracket so that the indicator reads correctly!

Anyway, once the work was done, the travelling mechanic I use had me give it a try, and the key didn't want to come out of the ignition without me lifting the shifter. He reached under the truck for about 3 seconds, and then it worked! That was a couple of weeks ago, and now, the key is beginning to bind again. I can get it out by lifting the shifter, but why bother?

I'm thinking there's some sort of cable tensioning adjustment at the transmission end which just needs to be tightened (or loosened?) 1/2 turn. Can someone please guide me to that magic wing nut?

Mahalo!
Tom G

 

[franklin2]

Cable/Bracket Adjustment

1. Place the gearshift lever (7210) in the (D) position and hang a 1.4 kg (3 lb) weight on the shift control selector lever.
   • Move the gearshift lever to the first gear position, then move back two detents to the (D) position.
2. • Hang the 1.4 kg (3 lb) weight on the gearshift lever.
3. 
   

1. Raise and support the vehicle; refer to Jacking and Lifting.

1. Disconnect the transmission shift cable from the manual control lever (7A256).

​

1. Pull out the transmission shift cable adjustment lock on the shift cable body.

​

1. Place the manual control lever in the (D) position.
   1. Rotate the manual control lever fully counterclockwise.
2. 1. Rotate the manual control lever clockwise to the (D) position. (2 detents).
3. 
   

​

1. Connect the transmission shift cable to the manual control lever.

​

1. Push in the transmission shift cable adjustment lock on the shift cable body.

​

1. 
   
   

   NOTE

   NOTE: If equipped with air suspension, reactivate the system by turning on the air suspension switch.

   
   
   
   Lower the vehicle.

1. Remove the 1.4 kg (3 lb) weight.

1. 
   
   
   

   CAUTION

   CAUTION: To prevent damage, do not adjust the transmission shift cable in any position other than (D).

   
   
   
   
   
   Verify that the vehicle will start only in P or N and that backup lamps illuminate in R. If not, repeat steps 1 through 7 and perform a digital transmission range sensor alignment; refer to Automatic Transmission — 4R44E or Automatic Transmission — 5R55E.