Bus stuck in park after removing wheelchair lift

[day1433]

We have a 2008 E450 shuttle bus that we recently removed the wheelchair lift. Now the bus will not come out of park. I'm assuming there is some sort of safety feature that thinks the wheelchair lift is engaged. Does anyone know how to bypass this feature? Thank you in advance.

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

not me but someone will be along.
what is the bus body?
they are the ones that installed the lift not ford.

 

[Samarath]

I have seen this situation posted a few times. I hope you can figure it out easily, and in the meantime, try searching through for this issue previously discussed. Good luck!

 

[Danjo-SKO]

There is probably an added interlock on the brake switch. If you examine the wiring at that switch on the brake pedal, is it spliced? It could also happen at other points on the harness.

But here’s some questions:

In the process of removing the lift, did you disconnect a door switch on the wheelchair door?

Does it start if you depress the brake pedal and turn the key?

Do the brake lights work if you depress the brake pedal?

Check for blown fuses. Sorry I can’t tell you which one to look for.

 

[Danjo-SKO]

Check this out too

 

[Stinky-ClassB]

The bus needs to know that lift is stowed and the door is closed. Look for switching at the door. Perhaps in the door bolt.

 

[Welshie]

I had the same thing, 05 E450. Where I disconnected the main power cable for the lift from the lug that it took power from, the connections were corroded. Undo the lug. Give all the connections a good littlr sand to get the gunky oxidation off and reattach it so the connections are clean. That worked for me

 

[QuixotryHugger]

Riffing off of what jackdebear said… same thing happened on my ‘06 international - handi door has a switch that engages when the door is shut. When door is open, the switch is disengaged and a light on the exterior turns on. I’d unplugged that light… parking break wouldn’t disengage. Plugging the light back in AND making sure the switch was engaged… AKA as if the handi lift is properly stowed… and the brakes worked fine! Haven’t figured out bypassing that yet.

Godspeed.

 

[HamSkoolie]

I used to maintain, and later drive, E350 and 450 buses.

As has been said, it's (most likely) the safety interlock system for that lift (though there are other interlocks that can also do it).

The bus can not be taken out of park until all interlocks are satisfied. You will have one or two at the lift.

For sure you will have a door closed circuit.
You may also have a lift stowed circuit. These are sometimes used as a double safety measure in case one or the other circuit fails.


Check the door(s) for any switches or sensors and test them for function and that the wires weren't cut when removing the lift.
Check any remaining wires from the lift removal.


Most often the interlock switch provides a ground signal to a relay (or circuit board) so once identified all you need to do is provide the ground. That can be done at the switch position or at the point looking for the ground signal (relay or circuit board).


Good luck.