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DIY replacing shifter assembly on 2013 SPORT (fixing SHIFT TO PARK) - picture heavy


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Inspired by this thread, I ordered myself a brand new shifter assembly from QuirkParts for a quarter of a price asked by a local Ford dealer in Bahrain (not to mention these guys told me to pay and wait for 6 to 10 weeks, like we were living on a freaking Moon or something...).

 

Anyway, temperatures in that desert land are in low 30s these days (for Farenheit guys it will be like 85 to 95F), so I decide to do some DIY.

 

I started my research on YouTube, but other than complaining on SHIFT TO PART issue, nobody actually did show anything useful. Except for those two guys - I learned that is it super easy to remove these silver rails. Unfortunately that was the last easy thing to do...

 

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Once removed, I was able to unscrew 6 bolts holding the glossy cupholder surroundings (I dont know how you call that part, so I'll just say cupholder assembly). Once you do that, you will have to detach the bottom part from the radio assembly. But I didnt feel comfortable doing it (it could have bent...).

 

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I didnt want to risk doing it, so I also removed the radio frame (it comes off pretty easily after removing another 6 bolts holding the frame around the radio screen and upper vents).

 

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Once you remove the whole frame it is much easier (and less risky) to detach the radio frame from the cupholder assembly.

 

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Next step is to detach the gearbox lever from the gear hifter. Simply pry it open genlty. It comes off pretty easily. No locks or bolths here...

 

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Next work your way though 4 bolts holding the main shifter assembly through each its corner.

 

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Here's where the fun starts. The gearbox lever line is attached to the shifter assembly with a clever lock. You won't be able to see that thing untill you remove some of the side panels. It is not a hard thing to do but if this is the first time you are removing these panels it may get a bit frustrating - they fit pretty tight. All the mounts are using the same type of clamps like you saw earlier trying to remove these two long silver rails surrounding the cupholder assembly.

 

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Now - once you get access, have a look on the replacement shifter assembly to see how the line lock fits into it. Ford must have some special tool that makes it easy to remove it. Unfortunatelly for me I didnt have anything. So I start from prying edges of the clamp with a tiny scredriver just to realize it can be simply pulled with a finger (genlty). Then it comes out. Stressful and frustrating to begin with, but when I think about it now - not complicated at all (I wish I knew earlier, because when I first saw this thing I was ready to give up).

 

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Looks pretty harmless when removed, doesnt it?

Edited by arabski
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And since I am not allowed to post 18 pictures in one thread... I had to split it in two:

 

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Done. I was already starting to feel proud of myself that day. Now quick compare of serial numbers:

 

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So I started putting things together in the reversed order. I took my time cleaning out dust from all the parts just for my own satisfaction. One thing I could not get right was this little light. If anybody know where does it go, I would appreciate the comment. It only lits up when lights are on - I have no idea where did that come out from...

 

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All nice and shiny. Shift to Park warning only shows when I don't shift to park... Brand new shifter installed. Everything seems to be working fine.

 

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I also took an effort to clean things up underneath. The whole thing took me around two hours but I spent most of it trying to figure out how to get that damn shifter line detached from the nose of the shifter assembly. I still think that Ford could have made it much easier for us by simply offering a switch replacement (I mentioned it back here), but at least now I have a brand new gear shifter too...

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Arabski, maybe that light is for the center console compartment, under the armrest. Do the P R N D S illuminate? Could also be for it.

I think you nailed it... PRNDS is not illuminated now. I'll fix it tomorrow! thanks!

 

Yours came with a new boot and knob? Only shows one shifter for 2013 Lincoln MKX. I need to do this soon.

Yes - full assembly.
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  • 6 months later...

Hey man, I just ordered my new shifter assembly to install on my 2013 Ford Edge! Is there any other suggestions you have to share on this subject?????? Thanks for sharing your project with us!

Can you take some pics and post them here? Still haven't done this yet.

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Nice writeup! My PRNDS console does not light up (along with my emergency flashers being inoperable) and am thinking I'm going to have to pull the console like you did. Did you verify that that bulb was for the PRNDS console selector? Did you find out where it attaches? I assume you got it working?

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Hey man, I just ordered my new shifter assembly to install on my 2013 Ford Edge! Is there any other suggestions you have to share on this subject?????? Thanks for sharing your project with us!

 

yeah, no need to order the assembly - just order a $3 micro switch and replace it (check out the details). One good thing having the whole assembly replaced is the "new car" feel, as the shifter knob is now soft and smooth...

 

 

Nice writeup! My PRNDS console does not light up (along with my emergency flashers being inoperable) and am thinking I'm going to have to pull the console like you did. Did you verify that that bulb was for the PRNDS console selector? Did you find out where it attaches? I assume you got it working?

 

correct, it was the PRNDS light. I drove like that for few weeks and it does not really matter much (you know which gear you are in). I eventually put it back in place one day (5 minutes operation) the bulb goes into the bottom-back side of the cover.

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  • 1 year later...

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