I have a 99 Ranger 4.0L Auto 4WD Ext Cab with 125k .Lately I have to move the shifter to the extreme left to get it to engage in Park. It goes into Park easily but will not engage unless it is to the extreme left .Symptoms are it won't start and will roll in the Park position if not to the far left. My fear is that it will get worse and won't engage at all. Thanks.

 

JoeJoe,

I believe if you do an Advanced Search here on 'gear selector' or 'transmission selector', you'll find a bunch of hits here regarding similar issues. I have a situation now that my gear selector is spongey feeling and sometimes difficult to engage Drive or Reverse. I sometimes have to move it about to get it to engage the right position. The Haynes manual I have explains how to correct the issue you have; about $24 at Advance Auto. I've read other threads that suggest picking up the OEM service manual; finer detail and more specific I think. Of course, more money but may be worth it in the long run.

Good luck on your issue! I've been living with my issue for a while now, but I'll need to pull of the covers of the steering column to check the spring and lube the moving parts. Hopefully that'll do.

Kevin