2017 MKZ At Times Does Not Shift Out of Park

[Tom Caldwell]

2017 Lincoln MKZ at times won't shift out of park leaving us stranded. Eventually
after turning car off, and after a period of time, it would go back to operating normally.
Might be fine for a few days or even a week or two but then would happen again.

Took it to my local Lincoln dealer and they kept it for 3 or 4 days but could not replicate the problem and after testing, running codes etc. didn't find an answer to the issue. Then of course as soon as we took it home it happened again a couple of days later and stranded my wife at the grocery store.

She had our daughter pick her up and went back a few hours later and it was fine. Now if she drives it anywhere, she leaves the car running in fear of getting stranded again.

When the problem does occur its only when the engine has been turned off and then started. But if it does shift from park, and you drive somewhere and then stop and put it into park and leave the engine running it has always shifted into gear again.

The error code that appears is Shift SYS Fault

 

[11MarkX]

Hopefully its a part called the "Transmission Shifter Bushing". Its just a little plastic grommet, costs about $5. If grommet is still there, you can try what this lady (see vid) but I think she has a 2020 and Lincoln moved this part. It might be located on 2nd vid, (Fusion and MKZ are the same setup). However, part might be already cracked, so if you tap it too hard, the whole thing might fall off.

If that isn't it, then it might be parts called the "Transmission Range Control Module" and the "Transmission Range Select Motor". However, these parts should trigger codes. Ford located those parts on most vehicles under the passenger fender, but not sure on the MKZ.

I doubt its the interior push buttons...unless you spilled water on it. Regards,

 

[willm426]

2017 Lincoln MKZ at times won't shift out of park leaving us stranded. Eventually
after turning car off, and after a period of time, it would go back to operating normally.
Might be fine for a few days or even a week or two but then would happen again.

Took it to my local Lincoln dealer and they kept it for 3 or 4 days but could not replicate the problem and after testing, running codes etc. didn't find an answer to the issue. Then of course as soon as we took it home it happened again a couple of days later and stranded my wife at the grocery store.

She had our daughter pick her up and went back a few hours later and it was fine. Now if she drives it anywhere, she leaves the car running in fear of getting stranded again.

When the problem does occur its only when the engine has been turned off and then started. But if it does shift from park, and you drive somewhere and then stop and put it into park and leave the engine running it has always shifted into gear again.

The error code that appears is Shift SYS Fault

Did you ever find the solution to this problem, I am having the exact same thing.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

Did you ever find the solution to this problem, I am having the exact same thing.

Did you ever find the solution to this problem, I am having the exact same thing.

At first, the Lincoln dealer replaced the gear shift module, but the problem happened again a week or so later.
Now, they just relaced the trans range control assembly, so we shall see!

______________________________

 

[Tom Caldwell]

2017 Lincoln MKZ at times won't shift out of park leaving us stranded. Eventually
after turning car off, and after a period of time, it would go back to operating normally.
Might be fine for a few days or even a week or two but then would happen again.

Took it to my local Lincoln dealer and they kept it for 3 or 4 days but could not replicate the problem and after testing, running codes etc. didn't find an answer to the issue. Then of course as soon as we took it home it happened again a couple of days later and stranded my wife at the grocery store.

She had our daughter pick her up and went back a few hours later and it was fine. Now if she drives it anywhere, she leaves the car running in fear of getting stranded again.

When the problem does occur its only when the engine has been turned off and then started. But if it does shift from park, and you drive somewhere and then stop and put it into park and leave the engine running it has always shifted into gear again.

The error code that appears is Shift SYS Fault

At first, the Lincoln dealer replaced the gear shift module, but the problem happened again a week or so later.
Now, they just relaced the trans range control assembly, so we shall see!

 

[willm426]

Has the problem happened again after getting a new trans range control assembly? It's really frustrating the car isn't throwing a code.

 

[Tom Caldwell]

Has the problem happened again after getting a new trans range control assembly? It's really frustrating the car isn't throwing a code.

So far so good! Hasn’t happened again since new trans rage module installation!

 

[Action]

To release the mandated safety device preventing the shifter moving out of park, the PCM or other module HAS to sense the brake light circuit being activated.
If the brake lights do not come on. The transmission will not be allowed to shift out of park.

Blown fuse. Poor alignment with brake light switch or bad switch will be enough to keep the transmission from shifting.

For what it's worth.

Action

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[G-403313]

So far so good! Hasn’t happened again since new trans rage module installation!

How much did this cost?