1994 Ford Taurus Shift Problems

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FARMERBB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
It started with the car rolling downhill, despite being in Park. We had the linkage adjusted, so that it would reliably go into Park, and lock the transmission. But now we have trouble getting it OUT of Park, and almost all the time it will not start when in Park, We have to move it to Neutral before the car will start. There is a considerable amount of play in the column shift position arc, such that when actually in Drive, it can look as though it is in quite a different gear, maybe two poisitions away. We have adjusted the wheel under the shifter, which controls the orange gear position indicator, but we still have a lot of problems getting it out of Park, and in starting the engine. Is there some other detent/lock mechanism operating here ?
Mar 6, 2007 at 5:40 PM
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TAURUSWHEEL
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 718 POSTS
Check the mlps, multi-lever-position-sensor, otherwise known as the neutral safety switch, for correct operation.. it sits on top of the trans, under the air cleaner hose.. the shift linkage is attached to it, along with a wire connector, good luck
Mar 16, 2017 at 5:45 AM

Suggested Repair

Check the MLPS (multi-lever-position sensor), also called the neutral safety switch, for correct operation. It sits on top of the transmission under the air cleaner hose, with the shift linkage and a wire connector attached.

Conversation Summary

A 1994 Ford Taurus with a 3.8 engine rolled while in Park. After the linkage was adjusted so Park would lock the transmission, the shifter became hard to get out of Park, the engine usually would not start in Park and had to be started in Neutral, and the column shifter had enough play that the indicated gear did not match the actual gear. The expert advised checking the MLPS/neutral safety switch on top of the transmission under the air cleaner hose.

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