Thank you again . my shifter was soft and it would not go in park so i had to start it in neutral. after looking at your post and and tightning the screws my truck starts and shift like new.not even the dealer had any advise on this. they said to bring it to them and they would look at it. and im sure it would have been $500.00 for them to fix it . perfect fix thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Awesome! Thanks for the info. I just crawled under my dash, and found those two pesky bolts loose. Tightened them up , and sure enough truck starts in park again. Oh, and while I was under there, I aligned the pointer.

 

I worked on a friends truck today and replaced his shift tube, plunger/Shifter Shaft, Shift boot, and Shift indicator. I did not have to take the wheel off, Just lay the wheel on my lap and make him run for whatever I needed, lol.

I found on his truck that of the 2 brackets that hold the shift tube on the column the rear one was completely gone, only part left was the tabs where the torqs (sp?) screw went, The front one looked fine. did all the in the driveway in around 4.5-5hours, May have been faster if I knew what I was doing by heart.

I plan on doing mine with alot more on the list in a week or so. I am having the same problem with mine not going fully into park, I have an edge programmer thingy and the gear display says I'm in 4th when I shift into P, sometimes I have to shift into N to start the truck. as for the pointer being off the plastic mounting thingy is broke on the indicator, either a Zip tie or a whole new indicator module fixes that, The module just snaps into the bottome of the cluster.

I plan on doing a writeup, Hopefully I don't get too impatient while working.

 

Good write up. I couldn't quite figure out which were the bolts in question. Had my wife move the shifter through its travel, while keeping my hands clear, and it became apparent, which they were. With shifter in first, it made it simple to get to the bolts. Lower one was slightly loose, upper was about ready to fall out. Used a T30 torx to tighten completely. T

 

Help please not sure where the bolt came from. how do I put it back???? I know its the shifter tube one bolt has fallen out. I just cant see where it goes back to. I see the cable but not where the bolt may go. please any have any help for me

 

From when I did a friends tube, The bolts that were loose were on the back of the tube (where the cable ends) and holding the clamp bracket thingies down., mine on my truck I don't remember anythong being loose though, Just a broken clamp.

I'd suggest anyone doing this (if you can) do a preliminary check to see what all you would need, On my truck, I don't think i needed a tube, Just the clamp but I changed the tube anyway while I was in there seeing how I had already bought it and all.

 

I am unable to start my 01 ford escort zx2 in park, I can only start it in 'neutral' and I did some research and maybe my 'neutral safety switch' might be goin bad. My starter and alternator have been tested and they are ok. Lights on dash lite up, battery is brand new, timing belt n water Pump are new, did new oil change. PLEASE CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHATS WRONG WITH MY CAR??? My car is Frnt wheel drive, 2.0L dohc 4 cyl.with 161k......
Any idea whats wrong?or is it just the 'neutral safety switch' going bad?
HELP!!

 

Either the shift lever and cable/linkage is out of adjustment (or the cable has stretched) or the Transmission Range Sensor has failed.

 

Do all of your brake lights work? We had an issue once where all the brake light bulbs went out on our 03 Windstar and it wouldn't let it either come out of park or wouldn't let it start, I don't recall.... but I was told it was a safety feature on the car or something; We had to start the car in neutral and then it worked fine.... and even better once the bulbs were replaced.

I was young at the time so I could be mistaken but worth a check.

 

Neither the brake pedal switch and the brake light circuit has nothing to with trying to start the engine in PARK (or not).

My information above is correct and is what she needs to focus on for her specific issue. Yours was different.