Recall # 98S26 OCT 98 Recall - Gear Position Indicator Deterioration
Ford put out a recall in 1998 for your problem...maybe.
The same thing happened in my 95 contour LX a few months back. Ford said the LX models were not part of the recall campaign. They indicated that the LX had a different shifter than the GL models . So call your dealer, give them your VIN and see what they come up with.
96 models were part of the campaign.
For what its worth, the shifter in my 95 did not indicate properly after the plastic slider broke , but, for some reason it spontaneously started doing the right thing one morning and contiues to do so.
I'm not holding my breath.
Let me know what you hear b ack from Ford
