I drive a 1996 Ford Taurus. My car won't shift into Park. The shifter bar will go into the park position, but the car acts as if it is in reverse.

For me to park my car I have to put it into Neutral, put the E-break on. Turn car off, move the shifter bar into park position, and remove my key. :(

Can you tell me what the problem is and how much it will cost to replace? Thanks!

Sounds like the Transmission Range Sensor (TRS), on top of the transmission, needs adjustment or replacing. This should not be difficult to fix.

On Taurus automatic transmissions, it's important to drop and clean the pan, change the filter, and refill with Mercon V ATF every 30,000 miles.

The sensor costs about 75 bucks, but it should not actually cause this problem. The transmission linkage should put the transmission in park whether the sensor believes it is in park or not. These transmissions are not electronically managed to that extent. The sensor's primary function is to tell the Engine Control Module whether to start the car, how to adjust the fuel mixture, and whether to engage the rev limiter. Also, unless it has been recently changed, on a 1996 the sensor will be virtually welded in place by oxidation unless you live in Arizona, so the need for adjustment is questionable. If the sensor has failed you will normally get a check-engine light at some point, with error code 705 (on my 1999).

Given that the linkage point is also pretty much stuck by now too, it seems more likely that there is something askew with the cable or one of the anchor points.

If you don't feel comfortable with your own understanding of how this thing works, just take it to a mechanic. Do notbother with the advice to change fluid and filter every 30,000 miles - that has nothing to do with it at this point, and is NOT the manufacturer's recommendation in the first place.

Changing the sensor is a twenty-minute job at best - but it is usually destructive - i.e. the old sensor is destroyed getting it out of the car, so it's a one-way trip which may not solve your problem. The question is, after you park, are you really in Park? Does the car roll on a hill after you turn it off and put it in park? If so, it isn't in park at all and it is either the linkage or something internal to the transmission. No linkage fix or sensor change should cost you more than 100 bucks, and a '96 isn't worth taking it much further.

On a 99 Fourd Taurus the column shifter will not engage the transmission but we can do it manually. What do you suggest?

hawg, it sounds like the column shift cable is out of adjustment.