I noticed even the park now does reverse?

Ah, this sounds like the shift cable has come apart and needs to be replaced, but to be sure you can raise the car up and disconnect the shift cable to see if it runs through the gear by manually moving the shift lever with the rear tires off of the ground and safely on jack stands. Here is a guide that will help, and I have left instructions in the images below so you can see how the cable replacement job is done.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

Thanks for your prompt response. I'll do all the instructions tomorrow cos I just got the mail now. It might interest you to know I'm reaching you guys from Nigeria (lol). Meanwhile there's a new development: I had warmed the car for about 2 hours yesterday (6-8pm) and about 5am this morning I saw something strange...all the ATF is emptied on the ground. There had been signs of leakages from time to time but not like this.... Just so you know. We do not have Ford mechs around like you would easily get of Japanese cars in Nigeria so even if I would work with a Ford mech of any sort of your expert tutorials with guide me. I need your help, truly! You're appreciated. Godbless

That is way cool, glad to connect with you. We need to find out where the fluid is coming from. If you can upload images it will help me, see what's going on. Let me know on the cable as well.

So glad to finally show here again... evalastinghills, remember me? Anyway, thanks a mill for your prompt responses. After checking the shift cable carefully and found nothing deserving - some ends are held with copper wire though I decided to let a trans guy handle it, who claims the reverse band was broken! Fixed and installed but the O/D off light blinks steadily and dash reads check transmission. He later confessed that when dropping the gears, the solenoid connector plug wouldn't remove so he had to cut the (12) wires from the middle. He brought an electrician to fix it, still nill. But then today I looked closely into that plug and what I see is eleven spots with connective steel in them! What I mean,is it supposed to be that way or could that one spot be the reason the vehicle now reverses well but can't climb forward or even select? Please I believe in Ur knowledgeability 100%... thanks again.

That does sound strange, can you upload an image of what you are talking about? Also let's run the codes to see what comes up.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing


Please go over this guide and get back to us.

I have sent you a video about my bugle. I don't know if you understand. Thanks, a mill.

Thanks for the video. You have found the problem, the wiring connector goes to the transmission, so this must be repaired and reconnected before the transmission will work. Here are the transmission wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works and where the wires go inside the connector. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

Okay, thanks. I'll be back. God bless.

Precious afternoon to you guys over there! I gada be honest with you you'll never know your worth in making stuff like this accessible to car users like me in Nigeria. With dumb -grim reaping mechanics all over the who can help you turn Gold to ashes in no time, I say thanks again. I'm here sending you pictures of the socket where the solenoid harness plugs into my 02 Explorer. Please let me know if it's proper the way it looks, ASAP. God bless.

The connector looks okay but to be sure you need to test the connections through the connector. But it sounds like you have a gear range sensor that has gone out. Does the vehicle have any codes? Also is the shift cable okay, did you replace it?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please go over this guide and get back to us.

Thanks, Ken, I will do that between today and Monday, then reach you. Happy weekend.