Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance ATX shift lever

Hi me again.
I pulled the center console out the other day to get at a bulb in ash tray(extra storage-don't smoke!)had to pull the shift lever up out of the way, and there's this small grub screw I had to undo to remove it. No problem so far until I actually pulled it. The O/D switch wires restrict full removal of the lever. Managed to change the bulb, and get everything back together including the allen head grub screw. Now it's like the shift button is always pressed; I can change gear without pressing the shift lever button, but cannot fully engage park enough to remove the ignition key!!! Rectified this problem by slacking off the allen head screw, but now the shift lever is wobbly! Has anyone experienced this and/ or anyone know a fix for it?

Thanks in advance,

David in B.C.
Mercury Mystique.

First thing to check is the solenoid on the passenger side of the shifter. There is a plastic 'tab' that sits in a small slot on the solenoid. When the key is in and the brake is engaged the solenoid 'shuts off' and the shifter can be moved. That tab may have come out sometime during your bulb replacement...explaining why the shifter would not go all the way into park.

Also, the metal shaft that the shifter attaches to has a plastic rod in the center of it. The plastic rod is what moves up and down when you push in the button at the top of the selector.

I had the same problem when I was repairing my ATX shifter. It had broken loose from the indicator strip (PRND21) so it always showed that I was in park. Tried to remove the shifter to repair it and surspise, not enough wire to pull it off. I cut the wires and added about 8" to rectify the problem. I didn't experience any problems with the reinstall other than the wires were getting cut every time I tried to slide the knob back onto the shifter. To me it sounds like the knob is not seeted properly or as far down as it can go. It took me a few attempts before I realized this myself. What happens is the wires comming from the top of the knob get tangled in the shifter rod and if you push hard enough the wires will get cut. Make sure that the wires are properly routed down the side of the shifter knob before you try to reinstall it. I hope I have helped a little.

Thanks for the replies. The solonoid is working fine as far as I can tell; since I loosened the allen head screw it all works fine i.e. have to depress the button in selector to change gear (can't accidentally throw it into reverse at 80 klicks! )
I think the answer lies in the wires from O/D switch that run down the side of the shift lever. My shifter swiveled around a bit whilst messing around with the bulb so maybe I inadvertantly twisted the wires in the process.
BTW the bulb I was messing with was to illuminate the ashtray at night; bulb has a plastic shield on it that allows light to go out to cigarette lighter and sideways to a window into the ashtray. Is it just me or is that barely any light at all? I feel like I wasted time and caused myself more problems as a result! Ah the joys of tinkering, I'll be at again next days off!!!!

David BC
White Mystique (in need of a wash!)