The 2003 long bed automatic with keyless security will start fine but will not shift out of Park.

The first time this happened, my wife and I were at the airport parking lot getting ready to fly away on our 2nd honeymoon. I had it towed and fixed. They said it was the solenoid.

The 2nd time it happened a couple weeks ago, I was at a jobsite and called my son to pick me up to go to get the solenoid and fix it myself - etc., etc., etc...

BUT while I as waiting, I pulled the rubber duct cover off of the shifter on the steering column. I could see the "jammed" piston (it's rectangular shaped) and how it kept the shifter form going out of Park. I used a small screwdriver to gently push the piston with the brake pedal depressed. The piston went in and the shifter went right into D(rive). When I got home, I tested the piston/shifter several times and it worked fine. It's been working fine for a couple weeks since.

I put this online because if you get stuck somewhere (especially camping, hunting, airport parking lot), you may be able to proceed with this simple procedure. I'll take some pictures when I get home and add them tomorrow.

 

Thanks! It's always good to know these tips espcially if the can keep you from being stranded. I had a honda accord that would do the same thing. It was an 87 and it didn't require the brake to be depressed when shifting from park. Sometimes it would get stuck in park and I just had to wiggle the hell out of the shifter then try again. It was one of those things you have to tell others about if you sell it or let someone borrow your car.