shift lever wont move unless in neutral to start brake interlock?

[papason]

I think this is a 94 taurus. suddenly it would not go out of park. it would start in park but not go in any gear. If you start in neutral then you can get a gear. MY suspision was the brake interlock, the parts guy said no way plus they were expensive. He figured something inside the column is in the way. So...Anyone have similar experience or have an idea to help?

[andycanuck]

This is a problem with the Brake on/off (BOO as it's called) switch.
When your vehicle is in park you need to depress the brake to cause the shift interlock to be disabled. The BOO switch is engaged when you depress the pedal.
If it doesn't work, this means there are one of a couple of problems:
1, A fuse has blown (check your fuse box for a BOO, Brake INTLCK, or Cruise control). In the 98 Taurus the cruise control won't work if a fuse related to BOO if blown.
2. The BOO switch is not working.
3. There's some other electrical problem (hope not!)

You can disable the interlock yourself by turning the ignition key to lock (back), then to Off, then move the shifter from Park to Neutral, then start her up.

[timdar]

I just fixed this problem on my '93 Taurus. Your brake lights don't work, do they? If you've checked the fuse (if your rear turn signals are working, then it's not your fuse) it is probably the brake light switch. Attached to the top of your brake pedal up underneath the dash is an electrical connector which hooks into your brake light switch (the switch is about an inch-and-a-half long) which is held onto the brake pedal post with a clip and a washer. Unhook the electrical connection, the clip and take off the washer. Now slide the switch to the right (away from the pedal) just far enough for you to see a small hole on the post. At this point, the switch will twist up right off the post. If the little bushing (looks like a little top hat) comes off, just slide it back down onto the post, it really does fit in there easily. I bought a new switch for under $5 from the local parts store, installed it (the half-moon hole goes on the left--on the side of the pedal), and was once again able to actually shift out of park with the car running! This info is all in the repair manual (sorry, I can't remember which manual I've got.) Hope this helps!

[papason]

thank You both I am hoping to look at that today