95 taurus wagon issue

[bluefever]

hi, just bought a 95 taurus wagon gl with the 3.8 v6,the problem is the shifter will only work properly when the car is started in neutral not park,if it's started in park,it's starts and runs perfectly fine,but it will not shift out of park,if i start it in neutral it goes into all gears fine,drives down the road fine,shifts perfectly,but once i put it in park i have to shut it off and start all over again because it won't come out of park when the ignitions on,has anyone had a problem similar to this on their taurus wagon or know what could be causing the problem?

[shorod]

Sounds like the shift interlock is keeping the lever locked. First thing to check is the brake light switch. If the brake light switch is failing, it will prevent the shift interlock from releasing.

-Rod

[Fordhcw]

My daughter's 1995 Taurus wagon with automatic transmission and floor shift lever had the park interlock cable break a few years ago. If you have the column shift lever, then you do not have this cable which runs from the steering column down to the floor shift lever.
So, if you only have a bad brake light switch, then you should feel lucky that it is cheap and easy to replace.
Those with the floor shift lever are unlucky, as Ford located the cable under the air duct which goes to the rear passengers. Neither end of the cable will slide under this air duct, without disconnecting the front of the airduct and lifting it.