Ford Focus Automatic Shifter Lock Override

thingiverse

This is a pin to override the automatic gear shifter lock on the Ford Focus (2005 - 2011). It was made for, and tested on, a 2007 hatchback model. However, I see no reason why it wouldn't work for other years (2005-2011) or on the estate model. It is a quick fix while I get the issue sorted properly, but the car is in near constant use so this keeps it usable. It is designed so that the barbs keep it held down in position, and can be very tight to push in (by design). If it warps and isn't holding effectively, there is some extra length so you can push the knob at the top to keep it working a bit longer. I like to think of myself as a bodging artist, and in this case I have designed it so I am able to bodge the bodge. The gear shifter should not move out of park if the brake pedal is not depressed. However, if even when the brake is depressed you can't shift out of park, this pin goes into a slot (on the top right of the shifter base plate under a blanking plate) used to temporarily override the mechanism. This is usually pushed with anything pokey each time you need to shift out of park but this keeps it held down "permanently". It does not mean you don't need to press the unlocking button on the shifter itself, it only means you don't need to depress the brake pedal to move into gear (you should still do this though so you don't roll unexpectedly). It is not particularly safe to override this mechanism, as it can lead to the car being parked without being put into "park" so entirely depending on the handbrake not to roll. You could technically leave the car in "drive" like leaving a manual in 1st, but I don't know if this is advisable. Basically, if you use this please don't sue me - I hope it gets you out of a tight spot though. Being stuck in "park" is usually due to either the brake switch being broken, the lock arm actuator being broken, or the locking arm itself being broken. None of these are my issue, so if any of you have had a similar issue that you work out how to fix please tell me! You can remix the design here: https://www.tinkercad.com/things/l9zxAmsUtoa