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How to Adjust Shift Indicator 1998-2012 Ford Ranger Explorer F Series

Created on: 2016-09-14

Learn how to adjust the PRNDL or the shift indicator needle, which is a common problem on many Fords such as the F series, Explorers, and Rangers

  1. step 1 :Removing the Knee Panel and Plate
    • Remove the four 7mm bolts on the bottom of the knee panel
    • Pull the knee panel off
    • Remove the five 8mm screws from the metal plate
  2. step 2 :Adjusting the Shift Indicator
    • Find the adjustor wheel
    • Roll the dial toward the fire wall to the move the indicator to the left
    • Roll the dial toward you to move the indicator to the right
    • Insert the key and cycle the vehicle through the gears when finished
  3. step 3 :Reinstalling the Knee Panel
    • Insert the metal plate into place
    • Tighten the five 8mm screws to the plate
    • Press the knee panel into place
    • Reinstall the hood release
    • Tighten the four 7mm bolts to the bottom of the panel

Tools needed

  • 8mm Socket

    7mm Socket

    Ratchet

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Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto. I hope this how-to video helps you out, and next time you need parts for your vehicle, think of 1AAuto.com. Thanks!

In this video, we're going to be working with our 2001 Ford Ranger. We're going to show you how to adjust the PRNDL or the shift indicator needle. This adjustment is fairly simple and very common to be out of alignment in most Ford trucks, such as the F Series, the Ranger, the Explorers, as well as many other models.

If you like this information, please click Subscribe. We have a ton more info on this truck, as well as many other makes and models. If you need any parts for your vehicle, please follow the link in the description over to 1AAuto.com.

Here are the items you'll need for this repair: 7mm socket, 8mm socket, and ratchet .

Often times, the gear indicator on your truck or Explorer may be off. Fortunately, this is a very simply thing to fix, and is usually just a matter of the alignment of the wire that connects from the actual gear selector to the indicator on your dash.

To remove the knee panel, remove the four 7mm bolts: one here, two below the hood release, and one all the way by our left foot, using a 7mm socket and ratchet. Slide the knee panel forward toward you to release the hooks and remove it from the vehicle. Remove these five eight millimeter screws using a socket and ratchet. Remove the metal brace from the vehicle.

With the knee pan removed, you'll find a small adjuster wheel here that connects up to your shift linkage. We'll roll the dial forward toward the firewall to move the indicator to the left, which would be from reverse over to park, or we'll roll it towards us, being toward the steering wheel, which will move our indicator to the right, which would go to park toward drive. Ours is to the right side of the P, so we'll roll it out until it lines up. Center it over the letter.

Insert your key, and cycle the vehicle through the gears to ensure proper alignment. Right where we want it.

Reinstall the metal knee pan. Reinstall the five screws for the steel dash pan. Bring them down with an eight millimeter socket and ratchet. Snap in the top of the plastic knee pan. Reinstall the four seven millimeter screws along the bottom. Remember to reinstall the hood release the two screws that go in there.

Thanks for tuning in. We hope this video helped you out. Next time you need parts for your car, please visit 1AAuto.com. Also check out our other helpful how-to and diagnosis videos.


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