1995 Ford Taurus Car starts but having issues getting to shifting out of park

TFINNEY2

MEMBER
1995 FORD TAURUS

Steering problem
1995 Ford Taurus Front Wheel Drive Automatic 197000 miles

My car starts just fine, but when I try to move the gear shift (it is located behind the steering wheel and the steering wheel tilts if that matters), nothing will happen until I rotate the steering wheel to a certain spot. Only at that point will ithe gear shift move out of park so I can shift it into reverse or drive. It's annoying and happened rather sudden.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

This is going to sound like a stupid question, but are the brake lights working when this happens?

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Friday, September 10th, 2010 AT 7:20 AM

TFINNEY2

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Apparently they haven't been, my blinkers work but not my brake lights. I had no idea until today. This is getting frustrating.

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Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 AT 3:56 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

That is the problem. The brake light switch must be bad or out of adjustment. You see, the brake light switch sends power to the park lock solenoid which allows you to shift from park only when the brake is on. If the switch doesn't send the power, it stays locked. I'm surprised you are able to get it out at all.

Check that and let me know what you find. It is located at the top of the brake pedal under the dash.

Joe

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Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 AT 10:41 PM