transmission wont go in park?

2000 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
130,000 MILES
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BOBO84
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when i try to pull the car in to reverse it goes to netural and when i try to park it will not stay in park it takes like 15 min to lock in park anad i have to keep trying
Dec 2, 2011 at 9:14 PM
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CARADIODOC
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Your shifter cable or linkage is misadjusted, or something in the linkage is loose which prevents the lever on the transmission from moving to the proper setting. Typically this is an easy repair but if the problem is down by the transmission it will be easier to work on with the car on a hoist.
Dec 2, 2011 at 9:23 PM
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WAY2OLD
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Check the bottom of the column shifter (under the dash close to brake pedal)to see if the little screws are loose where the cable hooks to it. Those are known to come loose and cause your problem
Dec 3, 2011 at 12:48 AM
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CARADIODOC
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Thanks way2old. Are those meant to be an adjustment or just another poor design?
Dec 3, 2011 at 12:54 AM
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WAY2OLD
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Those are just attachment bolts that will work loose. The only adjustment is down on the transmission. They are also bad about breaking the shift tube or wearing the bushings out in the steering column. Hopefully it is just the screws loosened.
Dec 3, 2011 at 1:59 AM
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CARADIODOC
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I see those parts you mentioned are listed on rockauto.com so that verifies they're common failure items.

Thanks bunches.
Dec 3, 2011 at 3:15 AM
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ML61438
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my crown vic will go into park but will not stay in place and it only will start in nutrall and also the shift gear seems looser then before
Jan 26, 2021 at 11:56 AM (Merged)
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WAY2OLD
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First thing to check is on the bottom of shifter where the cable hooks to it. There are 2 little screws there and they acr commonly known to come loose and cause your problem.
Jan 26, 2021 at 11:56 AM (Merged)