Won't Start Without Gear Select Play

[xdviper]

This has been happening from time to time, paid no mind to it, but just recently it just got bad. The thing is that I can not start the veichle without playing with the Gear selector. By play I mean by moving it all the way down to drive or even the 1st gear and then back to Park and then it will start up. It won't start up as if the car is on any other gear other than Park. Sometimes it won't start and I have to play with it for about 10-15 times before it actually starts up. What seems to be the problem?
The transmission is in good condition, Gears go in and out smooth but a little choppy, and everything seems to be fine.
Also since my Transmission's parking paw is out of order, it won't hold the car in place. Handbrake is placed on hills or spots where it seems to move by itself.,

I've got some pictures here of the gear needle on the gears, it doesn't seem to be on the gear but it selects them. I've tried adjusting it, under the dashboard and got it into place but moved out of place a month later...

Any help is appreciated guys, thank you. It's driving me nuts, every time I park the car, I'd have to play with it to get it to start up.

 

[BrooklynBay]

It sounds like the shift linkage cable is stretched, and needs to be adjusted. Check # 19 in my list of useful threads for more information as well as this thread: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242975

 

[mjktg99]

Neutral Saftey Switch

 

[BrooklynBay]

The 5R55E uses a transmission range sensor. It's similar but it has more functions. One sign of a failing range sensor or one out of alignment is that the rear back up lights don't go on when you put it into reverse or the shifts might be wrong. It tells the PCM what you're in (park, neutral, drive, 1st, etc).

 

[xdviper]

Thanks Brooklyn.. Pumpkins post here http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2109009&postcount=11 should help me out.

 

[BrooklynBay]

That link is only for the shift indicator, and not the actual linkage.

 

[xdviper]

Hmm, I've went through #19 I can't find where it would show me how to do it myself. Where is it located and how can I adjust it.

 

[xdviper]

I've found my Haynes manual and looked it up, Is it the same procedure?

 

[BrooklynBay]

It's hard to tell from the image, but it looks like the procedure.