why does my 2000 marquis have to be slammed into park to start it?

2000 MERCURY MARQUIS
173,000 MILES
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ROBERT STEWARD
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  • 1 POST
When you park the car, you have to slam it up into park in order to start it next time. the next time you get it started the gear selector does not line up with the gears on the dash.
Sep 18, 2011 at 8:22 PM
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CARADIODOC
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 34,321 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
You've pretty much identified the problem with your observation about the shift indicator not lining up. Sounds like the shifter linkage is misadjusted or loose. In some models, a broken engine mount can let the engine sit low on one side which will change the geometry of the linkage.
Sep 18, 2011 at 9:49 PM
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