We have a 1996 Ford Thunderbird with the 4.6L engine. We've had an intermittent starting issue. Once in a while the car won't start and appears to be completely dead; no start, no lights, nothing. The battery registers full voltage and when running, the alternator is operating properly. With the vehicle in Park, if you tap the gearshift with the palm of your hand towards the firewall, it usually will start. It is almost as if the car isn't completely in Park. This time the trick isn't working and our car won't start. Is there a switch on the shifter that failed or is there a Park cable that is out of adjustment? Any help would be appreciated as the car is inoperable now and I need to fix it (or at least know what needs to be fixed) as soon as possible as I will need the car for work today.

 

Make sure the shift cable is placing the trans range switch all the way into the park or neutral position.

 

Thanks for your reply. Where is the trans range switch located? Is it on the trans itself or on the shifter?

 

On this car, it's bolted right to the side (left) of the trans, and it's concentric to the linkage. This sounds like something has worn, and it needs an adjustment.