Shifter problems...pls help

I have 93 ford taurus SHO ATX. Now when my car is off I can get it in to drive. But when I turn my car on the shifter won't budge, the button won't even push in. Now I'm reduced to leaving my car in Neutral with the e-brake on so that I can get in to drive. Can anyone let me know what might be the problem. Also can I fix it by myself?

It sounds like you may have a problem with the Brake Shift Interlock (BSI) solenoid. This would be an item you could replace yourself if you are pretty handy with hand tools and are not afraid to dig in to the car.

The manual I have for the 1993 SHO with 3.2L (ATX) implies that the BSI solenoid is located at the base of the steering column. It appears that there is a cable that goes from the BSI solenoid to the shift lever in the center console.

-Rod

I have a 98 Taurus wagon and had problems with the column shifter not wanting to come out of park. It gradually go worse until it just wouldn't come out. The brake lights also stopped working. This is the way that I would get it out of park, remember I have a column shift.
With your left hand, pull the shift lever towards you with you arm through the steering wheel. Hold it in that postion, then turn the key with your right hand, at this time you should feel the shifter move towards you a fraction. Now start the car, after the rev's come down pull the shifter out of park and away you may go, remember that you may not have brake lights.:banghead:
I checked my brake switch with an ohmeter and it was working, as I was checking the cruise control shutoff also above the break pedal, there were sparks and my fuse blew. I noticed that the hot wire on my break switch was broken off, I re-soldered it and things worked well.

Stefan

PS I'm not a mechanic but my Father knows how all things work.