old thunderbird?

will_95gt

Member

Jul 27, 2004

298

1

16

Austin, TX

Apr 20, 2007

#1

• Apr 20, 2007

• #1

I know this is a mustang forum...and i usually post about my mustang but right now i have a diff problem, maybe y'all can help out.

My sister left her old thunderbird in our driveway for the weekend and she didn't leave us the keys; so its blocking my usual parking spot...

She left it unlocked so i figured i'd just go in and pop it into neutral and push it out of the way but apparently when the keys aren't in it you can't put it out of park.

Anybody know of a way i can get it into neutral without the keys??

(if it helps, the ignition cylinder seems to be loose because the chime tang goes off without the key in it sometimes)

thanks,

-Will

 

Bosko5.0

Active Member

May 18, 2006

1,067

0

37

longwood, FL

Apr 20, 2007

#2

• Apr 20, 2007

• #2

pull the battery and it should shift out of gear. there is a saftey brake switch where you have to press brake to shift from park. luckly it electrict.


But the steering wheel will lock when turned. and then you can only move it back.

 

trav_19

New Member

Oct 29, 2006

810

0

0

Jackson, MI

Apr 20, 2007

#3

• Apr 20, 2007

• #3

well i didn't know that about pulling the battery thanks i have had this happen before where i was like crap blocked in....i couldn't think of anyway to get it out of park without the keys so i just stayed home....

but my 93 mustang will chime at me without the keys in it when ever the drivers door is open?? do i need a new lock cylinder??

 

will_95gt

Member

Jul 27, 2004

298

1

16

Austin, TX

Apr 20, 2007

#4

• Apr 20, 2007

• #4

trav_19 said:

well i didn't know that about pulling the battery thanks i have had this happen before where i was like crap blocked in....i couldn't think of anyway to get it out of park without the keys so i just stayed home....

but my 93 mustang will chime at me without the keys in it when ever the drivers door is open?? do i need a new lock cylinder??

Click to expand...

well if it doesn't bother you then no you don't need a new lock cylinder. it just means the internals on yours are worn probably from old age. Mine used to chime just like yours and i let it stay that way until my lock cylinder started to become too lose for comfort and i could start it without the key by just twisting the ears of the lock cylinder.

Once your ready to replace one, its easy, they just pop in and out. (in fact its scarry how easy it is to pop one out and put in a new one)

The hardest part is spending the money.


ANYWAYS

i tried pulling the battery and it didn't help :-\

thanks for trying though... anybody else have any ideas?

 

trav_19

New Member

Oct 29, 2006

810

0

0

Jackson, MI

Apr 20, 2007

#5

• Apr 20, 2007

• #5

this seems like a stupid question but you are holding the brake down when your trying to get it out of gear right lol i just want to make sure were not over looking something simple

do you have a jack thats easy to roll?? if so jack up the rear axel under the housing to get the wheels up and have one guy pull the jack as you push the front... i would just use this as a last resort and be extremly careful not to let the jack stick and slide off the rear end

 

T

tjh566

New Member

May 22, 2004

608

0

0

Northern Va

Apr 20, 2007

#6

• Apr 20, 2007

• #6

you can take apart the center consol and push the thing that locks it in, I had an escort I did this in so the brake wasnt needed to shift it.

edit... or is that on the tree?

 

1slow95

Founding Member

May 16, 2002

1,797

3

48

ohio

Apr 20, 2007

#7

• Apr 20, 2007

• #7

tjh566 said:

you can take apart the center consol and push the thing that locks it in, I had an escort I did this in so the brake wasnt needed to shift it.

edit... or is that on the tree?

Click to expand...

89 and up had the console shifter....I know my 88 Cougar had it on the tree, so I'm assuming it was in the same place on the t-birds...

You could try using the Mustang's key in it...Or another Ford of around the same year if you have any. Since it sounds like the cylinder might be kind of loose, maybe you can try using pocket knife to start it. I managed to open a car door one time with mine after my friend locked his keys in the car.

 

chaos254

Founding Member

Jul 27, 2002

467

3

29

NJ

Apr 20, 2007

#8

• Apr 20, 2007

• #8

trav_19 said:

but my 93 mustang will chime at me without the keys in it when ever the drivers door is open?? do i need a new lock cylinder??

Click to expand...

mine 95 did this and I just disconnected one of the wires and no more ANNOYING chime. lol

 

will_95gt

Member

Jul 27, 2004

298

1

16

Austin, TX

Apr 24, 2007

#9

• Apr 24, 2007

• #9

nope is a console shifter... just takes a couple screws to take it apart. Although now my sister is back in town so no worries...

thanks guys