Cant swich gears caluom stick broke

try press the foot brake first

You will need to have it up on a lift to inspect the under carriage where it hooks up to the transmission. Sounds like you lost something.

look at the tie rod ends its the rod that goes from the steering rack to the bracket behind the wheel

it the key swich

you can break the lock by pulling down on the steering whell very hard. or if your ignitons swith is bad you have to get a new one

you'll have to pull the steering wheel, you broke the gear shifter, there is little notches that it goes thru for each gear,

Section 11-02C: Steering Gear, Power Rack and Pinion, Explorer 1996 Explorer with Power Rack and Pinion Steering Workshop Manual REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION Steering Gear SPECIAL SERVICE TOOL(S) REQUIRED Description Tool Number Pitman Arm Puller T64P-3590-F
Removal

1. Start engine.
   

1. Rotate steering wheel from lock-to-lock (entire gear travel). Record n umber of rotations.
   

1. Divide the number of rotations by two. This gives the required number of turns to place system in the on-center position.
   

1. NOTE: Verify the front wheels and steering wheel are in the straight-ahead position.
   
   From the lock position, rotate steering wheel the number of turns determined in Step 3. This places the gear in the on-center position.
   
   
   Steering Gear, Explorer
   
   
   
   
   

1. NOTE: Do not rotate steering column when intermediate shaft is disconnected or DAMAGE TO CLOCKSPRING will result.
   
   Remove bolt retaining the lower steering column shaft to the steering gear input shaft.
   
   
   
   
   

1. Disconnect the lower steering column shaft from the steering gear.
   

1. Remove stabilizer bar attachment from frame for clearance to remove gear.
   

1. Unscrew the quick connect fittings for the power steering pressure hose (3A719) and power steering return hoses (3A713) at the steering gear housing (3548).
   
   
   Power Steering Hose Connections
   
   
   
   
   
   Item Part Number Description 1 3A674 Power Steering Pump 2 3A719 Power Steering Pressure Hose 3 3F780 Power Steering Cooler and Hose Assembly 4 3504 Steering Gear 5 5005 Frame

1. Plug ends of fluid lines removed and ports in gear to prevent damage and entry of dirt.
   

1. Remove two (2) nuts from P/S cooler.
   

1. Remove P/S cooler from vehicle.
   

1. Remove and discard the cotter pin retaining the nut to tie rod end (3A130) and remove nut.
   

1. Separate tie rod ends from front wheel spindle (3105) using Pitman Arm Puller T64P-3590-F.
   
   
   
   
   

1. Remove the two nuts, bolts, and washer assemblies retaining steering gear (3504) to front crossmember (5019).
   

1. Remove steering gear from vehicle. If required, remove steering gear mounting bracket housing insulators (3F640) and steering gear insulators (3C716) from steering gear housing.
   
   
   
   
   
   Item Part Number Description 1 N807881-S60 Bolt 2 385935-S36 Washer 3 3F640 Steering Gear Mounting Housing Insulator 4 3504 Steering Gear 5 N800255-S60 Nut 6 5019 Front Crossmember 7 3C716 Steering Gear Insulator

Installation

1. If removed, install steering gear mounting insulators into the steering gear housing.
   

1. Push the steering gear mounting insulator and steering gear insulator in until there is no space between the lip on the insulator and steering gear housing.
   

1. Position steering gear on front crossmember. Install nuts, bolts and washers retaining steering gear to front crossmember. Tighten to 128-172 Nm (94-127 lb-ft).
   

1. Position power steering cooler onto bolts and install nuts. Tighten nuts to 68-92 Nm (50-68 lb-ft).
   

1. NOTE: The fittings design allows the power steering pressure hose and power steering return hose to swivel when properly tightened. Do not attempt to eliminate looseness by overtightening, since this can cause damage to fittings.
   
   Connect power steering pressure hose and power steering return hose to appropriate ports on steering gear housing. Tighten fittings to 27-34 Nm (20-25 lb-ft).
   

1. NOTE: Make sure the tie rod ends (3A131) are seated in the tapered spindle holes to prevent rotation while tightening nut.
   
   With the steering gear, steering wheel (3600) and wheel (1007) in the on-center position, attach the tie rod end to front wheel spindle and tighten to 56-76 Nm (77-103 lb-ft).
   

1. If necessary, advance tie rod nuts to the next slot. Install cotter pins.
   

1. NOTE: Verify that no rotation from the on-center position has occurred.
   
   Position steering column lower intermediate shaft over steering gear input shaft. Outer input shaft dust shield must be in place. Replace pinch bolt and tighten to 41-56 Nm (30-42 lb-ft).
   

1. Replace the front wheel and tire assemblies. Refer to Section 04-04 .
   

1. Replace wheel covers.
   

1. Lower vehicle.
   

1. Refill power steering oil reservoir (3A697) with Premium Power Steering Fluid E6AZ-19582-AA or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESW-M2C33-F.
   

1. Purge air from steering system. Refer to Section 11-00 . Verify absence of any unusual power steering noise.
   

1. Check and adjust toe alignment specifications. Refer to Section 04-00 .
   

1. Make sure steering gear operates correctly and is not leaking.
   

1. Check and adjust fluid level in power steering oil reservoir.
   

This happened on my 97 RL.

I cant say for sure with yours, but for mine, the gear for the up/down action somehow broke and developed an inch long gap.

Anyhow, google "acura rl steering column", click on any of the first few links and you will get an idea of what you are working with.

Remove the panel underneath the steering wheel. The motor for the up/down will be right behind that facing down. Unscrew the 4 screws on the panel connecting the motor to the column.

Once the motor is off, check to see if that is the problem (it shouldnt be) simply by using the tilt steering switch. If the motor is fine, check the gear it was just attached to. It will be really greasy, but check to see if the gear is sound.

If it is a broken gear, I unfortunately dont know how to fix it. If more than one person is driving the car (as in my case) you can finagle the motor onto the gear using the tilt switch and you can move the wheel into a happy medium for both parties (using the seat for fine tuning). Once done, and every thing is put back together, disconnect the motor cord cause the wheel will be able to tilt, but will get stuck again once it hits the gap in the gear.

There is a plug in the stering column that controls that. If you push on the brake then the gear shift will move the plug has malfunctioned and now you can not get key out. if you take off the plastic cover under the stering column and unplug this it should fix the problem. I had the same problem it is a safety switch. once unplugged you will not have to depress the brake to move gears.

I'm thinking the airbag clock spring is guilty. Right behind the steering wheel.