Stuck in park. How to release for towing

[BRadok]

A squirrel took a chunk out of the electrical harness which caused my 2022 Platinum PB to get stuck in park. I had to have it towed. I read on the forum about the release lever concealed below the steering wheel. The flatbed driver knew about it too. Sadly, that didn’t release the transmission-or whatever- for more than a few moments. We got it on the flatbed eventually but it was a struggle involving intermittently rolling and dragging along my gravel driveway and onto the bed. Is there some magic combination of pulling on the release and doing some else to get it to free wheel?

After waiting 6 weeks for a new harness it runs again. However, when the tech took it for a test drive he reports “a transmission or suspension noise.” They’re supposed to troubleshoot it today. We suspect a problem caused when getting it on the flatbed. Any ideas what it will turn out to be?

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[JEB]

A squirrel took a chunk out of the electrical harness which caused my 2022 Platinum PB to get stuck in park. I had to have it towed. I read on the forum about the release lever concealed below the steering wheel. The flatbed driver knew about it too. Sadly, that didn’t release the transmission-or whatever- for more than a few moments. We got it on the flatbed eventually but it was a struggle involving intermittently rolling and dragging along my gravel driveway and onto the bed. Is there some magic combination of pulling on the release and doing some else to get it to free wheel?

After waiting 6 weeks for a new harness it runs again. However, when the tech took it for a test drive he reports “a transmission or suspension noise.” They’re supposed to troubleshoot it today. We suspect a problem caused when getting it on the flatbed. Any ideas what it will turn out to be?

According to the owner’s manual (pp. 288-89 for my ‘21 PB), the electronic parking brake has to be engaged and the truck has to be on (in accessory mode) before using the override release lever.

 

[Big Dog Daddy]

The manual park release feature can only be used if the vehicle has some 12v power, enough that ignition can be set to the on position. Key on Engine off. In your case it sounds like this may not have been possible.

 

[Deeber]

Also, at least on my 2021 PB, someone has to stay in the truck and hold the manual release.
It made it REAL fun for the tow truck driver. I had to be taught how to operate the tow truck so he could hold the manual release as I ran the pulley.

 

[ColoradoHunter]

The manual just says to pull it out towards you. You have to pull it out then lift it up towards the steering wheel to lock it it the disengaged position.

 

[AussieSteveGuy]

Also, at least on my 2021 PB, someone has to stay in the truck and hold the manual release.
It made it REAL fun for the tow truck driver. I had to be taught how to operate the tow truck so he could hold the manual release as I ran the pulley.

Same issue here; but tow truck driver operated the tow truck while I held the manual release. Odd design…

 

[Deeber]

The manual just says to pull it out towards you. You have to pull it out then lift it up towards the steering wheel to lock it it the disengaged position.

I read that as well.
Unfortunately, mine didn’t work that way. The tow truck driver and I fiddled with it for about 15 minutes.
We finally gave up and went to plan B.

 

[ColoradoHunter]

I read that as well.
Unfortunately, mine didn’t work that way. The tow truck driver and I fiddled with it for about 15 minutes.
We finally gave up and went to plan B.

The one time I needed to use it, it was very difficult to get it to lock, but it did eventually lock in place.

 

[Xman]

The instruction were not that clear for me. Seems important to know how to operate as there are several warnings about damage. This would be a good candidate for a YouTube video.

At a minimum, I should save the above .pdf on my phone ICE.

 

[TexasTruck]

The manual just says to pull it out towards you. You have to pull it out then lift it up towards the steering wheel to lock it it the disengaged position.

Here’s a video, although it might only be one step needed for a PB model it sounds like… strange they are different than non-PB…..

Put transmission in neutral manually

 

[Xman]

Thanks, TexasTruck. This video was way more valuable than the written description which did not leave me with the correct perspective.

 

[Calson]

You had an incompetent tow truck operator. I had the transmission lock in park on my Mercedes coupe with it parked in front of my garage door. The tow truck operator had 4 carts with wheels and raised and lowered each corner of the car until it rested on top of them. He then used the winch to move my car onto the flatbed.

These are common items and used by car owners who want to move a car around in a tight space.
https://www.amazon.com/ABN-Car-Doll...sprefix=car+dolley,automotive,175&sr=1-6&th=1

 

[BRadok]

I use my F150 for actual farming. My driveway/parking area is a mix of gravel and dirt. It’s been a wet year so it was soft. Those dolly’s wouldn’t work out here. So I’m not blaming the tow truck driver.

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