2001 ranger auto trans shifter problems

[bbuchanan]

On my friend's ranger, he has to hold up on the shift lever to start and sometimes it won't go into gear, getting worse. Does anyone have an idea what could be the problem? Shifting lever seems loose.

 

[McCormack]

The shift lever linkage on my '00 came loose once. The linkage is above the steering column shaft under the dash and is hard to get to. It was an Allen bolt that came loose.