stuck in park

[kernowbongo]

Hi, sometimes my Bongo gets stuck in park, and wont release to use any of the gears. Please can somebody tell me what is causing this to happen. Thanks.

[Aethelric]

Sounds as if the bongo does not know you have your foot on the brake. I don't know where the switch is, but someone on here almost certainly will.
Dave

[mobilecat]

do you have your foot on the break

[missfixit70]

Not sure if the switch connected to the pedal feeds the gearbox? worth checking to start before getting too technical.

[Aethelric]

good point - see if the brakelights come on!

[bigdaddycain]

I believe there is a cable link from the steering lock barrel to the gear selector, try all these things in various combinations... Pumping the brake pedal, turning the steering wheel, turning the key, you will look a little silly, but it will probably work! My bongo used to do this maybe once every 3 to 6 months or so, then suddenly stopped doing it for no apparent reason!

I expected it to resume,as i have recently replaced the steering wheel, but so far, so good!

[madmile]

I have noticed that if parked on a slope and you put it in park then put the handbrake on the vehicle drops back against the locked transmission. It can be quite difficult to put back into gear if this happens. I now make a point of putting handbrake on whilst in neutral - then engaging park. Seems to cure the problem. Not sure if this matches your situation, but hope it helps.

[nfn]

When I picked up my bongo from Outback Autos near King's Lynn a year and a half ago, the owner of Outback (Steve) was repairing a bongo stuck in park. He was fiddling around near the brake pedal. Maybe you could give him a ring if you can't figure out how to fix it.

[bigdaddycain]

I have noticed that if parked on a slope and you put it in park then put the handbrake on the vehicle drops back against the locked transmission. It can be quite difficult to put back into gear if this happens. I now make a point of putting handbrake on whilst in neutral - then engaging park. Seems to cure the problem. Not sure if this matches your situation, but hope it helps.

I have a slight variation on that principle,i let my bongo find its own "settling spot" then apply handbrake,then park,less chance of the bongo resting against the "park spline" in the gearbox...

[coco bongo]

Hope your problem is solved soon Kernowbongo, ive noticed that resistance in the gearshift too when in park and facing down a slope. Thanks for the tip Bigdaddy.

Notice you are doing it dreckly too kernowbongo!

[bongomaan]

i got stuck in a park once thats why i got a 4wd...

[Bob]

definitely a mechanical interlock between the ignition and gear selector, you won't get out of park unless ignition is on, this can be a bit sticky, try juggling gently as above.

[Grahame at work]

Thanks for the tip madmile - My drive is on a slope and I quite often have a fight to get into gear in the mornings.
I'll try your procedure from now on.

Its amazing what you learn on this forum if you nose around enough.

Regards Grahame

[mobilecat]

I haven't noticed a problem with aprking on hills yet and I park nose dive on a step drive every day. Now I am going to be paranoid something is going to happen.

[David Edwards]

Don't forget the obvious, check fluid level as well.