95 taurus le won't shift into drive

[tomfer2]

Hi All,
When the transmission is in park, basically you have to bang on the console shifter to move the shift lever to any gear. Once it is released from park it move freely, just getting it to move is a task. I was told that this started when the ignition key was bent. A new key was made and this issue began. Is therer a cable in the console that is out of adjustment? Any help in resolving this is appreciated. Thanks

[tripletdaddy]

Can I assume that you mean the shifter problem was started probably when a bent key was used and a new key didn't get the shifter to work better? Do you mean a floor shifter or a column? I also have a 95 with a column shift and the lock cylinder has gotten sloppy and can get misaligned so that you can put the key in a wrong way that doesn't align with the tumbler pins so won't work. I can believe that the bent key and some wear, loosening and shifting or bending in the interface of the lock assembly lockout and the shifter so that it doesn't work properly. 'Fraid say you need to open her up and see before wrenching on it will do something regretful. The cable from the shifter to the trans would have nothing to do withyour problem as it does not deal with the locking of the shifter. Have you made sure that the brake interlock switch attached to the brake pedal, which I believe also operates your brake lights, is working properly? If not, the shifter won't be released. Maybe it's erratic? If you have a floor shift, than most of what I said doesn't apply to the mechanics of it. But I'm quite certain it all lies inside the steering column cover at the lock assembly and shifter. I seem to recall someone in one of the Ford forums describing a problem like this and a part that slides maybe broke or wore?

[tomfer2]

Tripletdaddy, Thank you for the response, I do have the console shift, but none the less it was as you directed, the brake interlock switch down near the pedal. thank you for the information.