Gear shift problem lots of play no park

[Business socks]

I have 2001 mountaineer that drives like a dream. The other day I get in to find the shifter on the column has alot of play. I'm having trouble getting into park and 1. After a week of this it gets progressively worse. I can't get into park or 1 at all. I can put it into where park is and get my keys out but its not in park. I called 20 dealership just to get I've never heard that before answers. I am pretty mechanically inclined so if anyone has ideas please help me out. Thanks. Oh I searched the forumns for this and found where shifters broke off and the indicator was off but nothing was just like this. I just have mass quantity of play and can't get it into park

 

[team]

i would get underneath the vehicle and make sure the shifter cable is still securely in the bracket attached to the transmission. You may need to readjust it if the lock on it is loose.