Can't shift out of park

[RevEd]

I have a 96 Ford Taurus. Automatic transmission. 137K miles on it. I went out this morning to start it up and warm it up. Everything fine so far. When my son and I got in to go to the store, I couldn't shift out of park. I can move the gear lever at all. I press the break pedal and everything, but no go.

Help!

Rev

[RJExp]

When you press the brake pedal do you hear and feel the solenoid in the steering column disengage the safety lock? If not then either the switch on the brake pedal is dead or the solenoid in the steering column is dead.

[RevEd]

That sounds like exactly what the problem is. A bad switch.

Thanks for your help! I really do appreciate it!

Rev

[Spitzer]

Also check your brake fluid level. Tauruses can be funny like that.

[Puffdicky]

check your brake lights. the switch was gone on my car and it would let me shift out of park

[gajuggalos]

Might be unpluged. That happen to me one time when I came out of a store.