Shifter will not Move out of park after the car is started

ALLAN3251

MEMBER
2001 FORD TAURUS
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
76,000 MILES

The shifter will not move out of park after the car is started. The shifter will only move if you turn the key one click in the on position moving the shifter into neautral. You are then able to move the shifter into drive, reverse, neautral. If you put it into park with engine running you are unable to shift into any other position. Is the problem caused by the neautral safety switch or is there a brake release switch.

2 Replies

AMERICANIST

MEMBER
1 POST

Brake switch defective if you also have no brake lights, running or not. My friend has a 1997 Taurus exhibiting the same problem but I also noticed she had no brake lights. Fuses are all good. I lifted the little release arm on the side of the brake light switch and disconnected the plug from the switch. I then took a jumper wire and bridged the contacts in the plug and also noticed a little spark when I connected them. I checked the brake lights and they were on so I knew something wasn't right with the switch. I then started the car as usual in Park and everything worked just fine. I am now on my way to the parts store to get a new switch. All indications are that the fix is in hand. Good luck. Rather simple fix for me. Thanks for the "one click hint" because that helped me!