Well, hopefully i dont get yelled at for not searching hard enough, cause i can find things that are similar but not quite identical to what happened to me tonight.


my 2000 4.0 auto crapped out on me.

The gear shifter lever just broke. not like snapped off but broke at a linkage within the steering column, and the lever was free to move but stayed attached to the column. and of course the truck wont go into gear now.

Had AAA tow it to a shop, need to get it fixed before this weekend, and after all my searching ive come across varied answers as its just a shifter cable, to the whole steering column needs to be replaced(which seems excessive). so basically id like to be informed before the shop calls me and tries to screw me over.

tl;dr: shifter broke, wont go into gear, the what hell broke and how much is it gonna set me back to fix it?

 

i hade this same problem happen to a friend a few months back on a 2000 3.0 auto the screws that hold the linkage inplace fell out onto his floor board easy fix remove your plastic cover on your steering colum and replace them

 

The cable is a definite possibility and should be the weakest link in the system. I would guess that a new cable is $50~75 plus labor. Other than crawling around under the dash, it is not too hard to install and adjust.

As noted in post #2, some of the 4 screws that clamp the shift rod to the column may have backed out. It is a quick and easy fix if the tech knows what to look for.

The shift lever rotates a rod that moves a lever at the other end of the column which then pulls the cable. These parts can be replaced separately from the column but it requires a bit of disassembly to do it. Disassembly = labor = $$$.

Replacement parts may still be available new from Ford. If not, anything you need is available at a junkyard, up to and including a complete column. About 3 years ago, I bought a used Ranger auto column for $30 (less airbag). Your local price will probably be different. Obviously, it would be substantially more after a shop locates it, picks it up and marks it up.

 

so the updated info is that they shop says it will cost 780 dollars to fix (saying that i broke the entire linkage system) btw that doesnt include a complimentary 90 dollar cleaning becase there are crumbs underneath the steering wheel

so im just getting it towed to my house, and ill fix it myself, (Virginia tech engineer, with an automotive backround btw).

so best bet now is to buy a column from a junkyard? cause thats what im leaning toward

 

i wound not take there word on whats wrong sounds like a shady shop to me open it up and take a look

 

I'd say it would be best to find out what the problem is first. Pull off the upper and lower column trim and the knee bolster plate and trim and have a look.

If you do decide to get a column, try to get one from another 2000 so the airbag wiring will match yours. Ford changed over to 2nd Generation airbags sometime around 99/00 and you don't want the wrong connectors. The 2000 V6 column would also have the Type B PATS transceiver used in 99~00 instead of the Type E PATS used in 2001+. If you have tilt and cruise now, try to get a T&C replacement - that way it would have the right clockspring assembly. And, while we're on the subject, beware of broken clocksprings in trucks that were in front end collisions.

 

For that price you could buy a brand new column have it gold plated, and get a second to keep in the glove box as a spare! I can't believe they had the nerve to look you in the eye when they gave you the quote.
Used ones are all over the web for 115-160 so they want 600 dollars to remove 7 bolts and a couple electrical connectors.