99 explorer won't go in park and trouble starting

[99explorer4.0]

So for the past month my 99 ford explorer limited edition 4.0l will not go in park. The shifter needle won't go in park and if I'm on any type of incline it will roll unless I put the E brake on. Also truck won't start unless I pull up on the shifter and it's getting harder and harder to start. Can anyone help with this??

 

[J_C]

Seems like there may be some play in the shift linkage, either at the shifter or at the tranny. Starting trouble is probably just a lockout switch for the transmission, likely solved when the linkage problem is fixed.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/automatic-shift-lever-problems.284304/

 

[Spuddy]

At the bottom of the steering column and above the brake pedal there are two torx screws that come loose. These are supposed to hold your "transmission selector lever arm" securely in place, and it connects to the shifter cable.

Picture

I recently had this same problem but found this website and it told me exactly what to find and how to fix it. So I thought I would add a photo to help others with this problem

Its not easy to get under there and fix it but it can be done, also I found it easier to put the shifter in neutral to help align the two bolts. Hope this helps

The shifter cable connection is just out of the frame in the above photo. It would be off to the right at the end of the gold-colored arm.