Stuck In Park

[magicron]

I have a 1997 Mountaineer and my wife put it in park before it was completely stopped and now it's stuck there. I have heard that they will do that sometimes. If I turn the key one notch I can get it to neutral and start it from there but that is kind of a pain. Does anyone know how to fix this problem?

[Johnny Mullet]

The shift-lock actuator in the column went bad. I have done quite a few of them.

Or the brake light switch falied. Make sure the brake lights work to eliminate the switch as the problem.

[magicron]

No brake lights. A bad brake light switch will make the car stick in park???

[shadetree1965]

yes, the brakelight switch wiil do this check the fuses also by the drivers door it should be a 15 amp fuse