Good morning,
Wondering if anyone has had this happen; you put the auto trans selector in the park position and the vehicle rolls a few inches before the park engages. Once or twice it has tried to engage, can feel and hear it, before it finally engages. I cannot find any diagrams that depict how the park position works, I suspect it is a cable of some sort and wonder if there is an adjustment that can solve this. It is a 2000 XLT, 3.0 flex fuel. with 195,000 miles. Just overhauled the engine 10 months ago.

 

Ford trucks with column shifters have a few problems

Google: Ford ranger loose column shifter

Lots of videos and info on the several causes for this, it's not just one thing, and it applies any model Ford Truck

Yes, check the cable from where it comes out the firewall to where it connects to the transmission, cable sheath can split so cable doesn't get full travel.

There is a cable adjustment on the transmission end, BUT.............all the above must be checked FIRST or adjusting the cable won't solve anything and can make matters worse.

Park selection inside the transmission is a mechanical link no cables, when shift rod is turned to Park it pushes the park pawl against the output shaft which has notches every inch or so, the wheels can roll a bit before Pawl and Notch are lined up and Pawl locks into place

Short Video here on how it works: youtube.com/watch?v=eh988eSAPc8

If Pawl or notches get worn then trans/pawl may not lock into the first notch, but its more likely that the shift cable is not pulling the shift rod all the way into Park so not enough pressure pushing pawl into the notch

 

Many thanks, will inspect this afternoon. Just worried that it might pop out of Park and roll.

 

Thats why there is a Parking Brake

Manual trans can hold a vehicle in gear with engine compression, MAYBE, lol, which is why there is a Parking Brake

Automatic trans uses the Park Pawl to hold driveshaft, MAYBE, lol, which is why there is a Parking Brake

No system is Fool Proof, and nature always creates a better Fool when we think it is, evolution is great and terrifying at the same time, lol.

 

And that is why I have been using the parking brake!

 

Using the parking brake also keeps the rear brakes adjusted and functional.