2000 Mercury Villager: Is there a shift lever adjustment? When placing foot on brake pedal and pulling shift lever rearward it doesn't feel like the transmission is completely disengaging and it is neccessary to pull forcefully to move the shift lever from ''Park'' to ''reverse'' or ''drive'' and the vehicle ''clunks'' upon doing so. Is there an adjustment to correct this?

The are normally located in the gear lever itself.

A common problem though- check if your brake lights are working! In order for the solenoid to release, you have to press the brake pedal. The brake light switch sends this signal and if there is a blown fuse or a faulty brake light switch, it is the common fault for the solenoid not disengaging. These solenoids themselves are not a commonly faulty unit!

Could be a vac leak, or a dirty throttle body, or a faulty idle air control valve. The computer controls idle speed by regulating the amount of air into the intake. Could also be something pulling on the throttle cable such as the cruise control.

check your brake switch thier is two one for your brake lights and one to activate the shift lock soliniod.

The shift linkage is out of adjustment.

The cable bolt may be loose up at the column, the column itself may be loose enough to allow it to shift position as well.

Make sure column is securely mounted, If not- tighten the 4 bolts that hold it to the dash support so it is. if it is, crawl under driver's side and on the transmission is a bracket where the cable assembly comes into it, and from there a rod that attaches on the lever on the side of the transmission. Make sure the bracket is not damaged or cracked first- if it is, replace it. There is a captive clip to release on the wide part of the piece that the bracket holds, it does not come out fully, but it will release the cable housing so you can slide it to adjust it. With the column shift in Park position, note where the rod is at the transmission. Also make note if the bracket is in line with transmission. If bracket is in line, pull the lever rearward one notch/detent that you will feel engage the lever- this moves the transmission lever to neutral, then with firm pressure push lever forward so you feel 2 distinct notches/detents forward, the lever is now in park. Push locking clip back into position once you confirm the cable outer housing is squarely seated into bracket opening and is soundly clipped into the square opening of the bracket.

If the lever will not move to that second detent or you did not feel it, you will need to check by putting the column shift to first gear position, release the connection to the lever on the transmission just to verify location of lever, and verify the lever is indeed in first gear- the lever on the transmission will move no further- then count detents forward from the rear stop. you should end up in park, and you may hear the parking pawl engage the output shaft of transmission. move lever back to the rear to the stop, reattach the connection to the cable, put column in park, release the clip again and verify the lever is as far forward as it is going to move. Push clip into lock position.

Start Explorer, with foot on brake pedal, release the emergency/parking brake and see if the vehicle moves, or if it is truly in park. It should be in park.

If you encounter some dificulty with getting the column shift lever itself moved over to park- apply brake pedal to release the park interlock mechanism.

This might work for you guy's replace the brake light switch
Easy step by step tutorial watch the video. im sure it will help.
MERCURY MARQUIS STUCK IN PARK
http://youtu.be/fgUn1TuHu-0

First,check that your emergancy brake lever or foot pedal is pulled all the way up.
The next thing is probably either dirt on your anti-lock sensors at the wheels,or air getting into the line or low brake fluid in reservoir. don-ohio

Look under the dash, on the brake pedal arm. There are one or two switches that activate brake lights and shift unlock. Check for loose mounting nut or a missing rubber nubber. Is the brake pedal coming all the way back up? Look on the floor for something not usually found there. These switches are adjustable and it may be as simple as adjusting them. Have a helper look for brake lights on and shift lever unlocked while you push and release the switches with your finger. Depress the brake pedal to get it out of the way. Remember to set the park brake first. Could just be a bad switch or loose connector. Check fuses and the bulbs.

Check for a blown fuse. This vehicle has a safety feature that allows it to switch gears only when the brake pedal is depressed and the ignition is turned forward. When the brake pedal is depressed it sends a voltage signal to the shift interlock solenoid that then allows it to shift.You can manually unlock the shifter by inserting a pin into the arperture on the left side of the center console. Push the locking lever rearwards to allow the selector lever to be moved.Also check to see if your brake lights are working this is where the shift interlock solenoid gets the voltage from if they are working chances are the shift interlock solenoid has gone bad.

Brake Shoes Removal & Installation To Remove:

1. Raise and safely support rear of vehicle.
2. Remove rear wheel assemblies.
3. Release parking brake.
4. Remove brake drum.

Rear brake shoe assembly

1. Using an appropriate brake spring tool, unhook upper return spring from rearward brake shoe.
2. Push retainer springs IN and turn to remove tension pins.
3. Lower brake shoe assembly and remove lower return spring.
4. Remove brake shoe assembly from back plate.
5. Disconnect parking brake cable from lever and remove brake shoe.
6. Remove parking brake lever from brake shoe.

To Install:

1. Install parking brake lever to rearward brake shoe.
2. Secure lever to brake show with a NEW U-clip.
3. Pinch U-clip closed.
4. Connect parking brake cable to rearward brake shoe.
5. Install self-adjuster lever spring on front brake shoe.
6. Assemble clevises, adjuster bolt and upper and lower return springs.
7. Apply a light coat of grease (Molykote 44MA or equivalent) to sliding surfaces.
8. Install brake shoe assembly onto back plate.
9. Install tension springs.
10. Using an appropriate brake spring tool, unhook upper return spring to rearward brake shoe.
11. Install brake drum.
12. Install rear wheel assembly.
13. Lower vehicle.
14. Adjust self-adjusting brakes by pressing brake pedal several times.

please rate highly if this helps.

also, go here for villager help anytime.

the deactivator switch (deactivates cruise control when you tap brake pedal) and brake pedal position (BPP) switch electrical connectors.