How do you fix a Taurus - Sable that is stuck in park?

Answer 1

Trick to get it out of park: Just turn key to ON position, put car in neutral, then start car.

I have had the exact same problem with a '94 Taurus. For me, the linkage had to be replaced. The linkage is the mechanism that connects the shift lever to the transmission.

Brake-shift interlock

This vehicle is equipped with a brake-shift interlock feature that prevents the gearshift from being moved from P (Park) unless the brake pedal is depressed.

If you cannot move the gearshift out of P (Park) with the brake pedal depressed:

1. Apply the parking brake, turn ignition key to LOCK, then remove the key.

2. Insert the key and turn it to OFF. Apply the brake pedal and shift to N (Neutral).

3. Start the vehicle.

If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift, it is possible that a fuse has blown or the vehicle's brakelamps are not operating properly. Refer to Fuses and relays in the Roadside emergencies

It is probably like my 1998. There is a safety that won't let you shift unless the brake pedal is depressed. The same fuse for the brake lights is for the safety. If the fuse is good you might have to replace the safety that is connected above the brake pedal. You can usually override it by shifting while the car if off and key in accessory position.

If you have a console standard shift the push button on the shifter may not be releasing totally (specially if you have oem leather on it restricting its movement). Pry it loose. If not it might be your stop light switch if all your brake lights are not working.

There is a safety on the car that won't let you shift out of park unless the brake pedal is depressed. The fuse for the brake lights is the same one for that safety. Check to see if the fuse is good. If it is, then you might need to replace the safety that is connected above the brake pedal. Having the car off and key in axillary is overriding the safety. If you have the car owners manual it is described in there.

usually there is a lockout override (you can't shift out of park without the brake on), it will be a access in the console near the shifter, sometimes a slider or removable button that you can stick a key into to release the lock. check brakelight system, it usually powers the automatic release

check to see if you have brake lights. The brake light switch also sends power to the shifter lockout solenoid. Ususally the wiring at the connector to the brake light switch developes a break due to the constant movement of the brake pedal. If that happens or the brake light switch goes bad, or even if the fuse to the brake lights blows, you will be stuck in park.

The Break On/Off (BOO) switch has caused this problem for me. It's the only way that the rest of the car knows that you're pressing your brakes, thusly not letting you shift or triggering your brake lights when it is loose.

I've rather big feet, so I've kicked it loose several times since it first happened. It's a cheap little plastic connector on the brake pedal itself.

# Follow the pedal up to the wiring.

# Ensure that everything is plugged in properly.

# If the BOO switch is plugged in and the problem is still present, then is the time to check the fuse box according to the manual.

If you've never checked fuses for proper functioning, all you do is hold them up to the light to see that the connection is not broken within the fuse (ie, that the fuse is "blown")