Replaced transmission with a used one and now it will not start. The indicator on the shift column does not show the gear that has been selected.

I recently had my engine replaced in my 2002 grand marquis 4.6 with a 2009 crown Vic 5.4 engine and was running fine until I broke my ignition and tried to replace it myself I bought a new ignition switch didn't work so I bought a steering column and still won't start what do I d?
I landed on this website reliable-store.com and they got me free manuals so I used it to repair and it works fine

I am assuming that your shift lever is on the steering column. Either the bulb for indicator has burned out or the shift indicator switch on the transmission has failed. There are 3 different engine options for this truck and 3 different transmissions. I would need to know which engine and transmission your truck has, to give better info. FYI, you have to remove the instrument cluster to replace the bulb, assuming that is the problem.
Charlie

Go to a salvage yard or dealership of said vehicle and get another indicator. You've already had it apart so you know what to do. That little string is permanently attached to the indicator and the little clip, there is no adjustment. Just change it and push the clip on where it goes on the column sleeve.

PRNDL Display
The instrument panel cluster (IPC) displays the selected gear position as determined by the powertrain control module (PCM). The IPC receives a class 2 message from the PCM indicating the gear position. The PRNDL display blanks if:
• The PCM detects a malfunction in the transmission range switch circuit.
• The IPC receives a class 2 message indicating the park position and the column park switch indicates a position other than park, open input.
• The IPC detects a loss of class 2 communications with the PCM.

Could be the transmission range sensor . Testing would need to be done , hooking up a scan tool ! Doing electrical testing etc...

The gear shift lever indicators tell you what gear you have an automatic transmission in on your vehicle. The shift solenoid tells the transmission when to shift gears and what gear to shift into. Newer model automatic transmissions have electronic shift solenoids that are activated and change gears based on the speed the vehicle is traveling. Troubleshooting either one of these transmission components is relatively easy if you know a little about automobile mechanics. With the right tools, you can determine whether the transmission shift solenoid is having a problem. Gear shift indicator problems can be determined simply by moving the gears into their designated position.
Transmission Shift Solenoid

• 1 Raise each corner of the vehicle up with the car jack and place jack stands under the frame. Make sure the car is raised high enough so you can work under the car freely.
  
• 2 Slide the drain pan under the transmission fluid drain plug. Remove the drain plug with a ratchet and socket, and let all the fluid drain out of the transmission. Remove the transmission pan bolts with a ratchet and socket. Pull the pan away from the bottom of the transmission, revealing the transmission shift solenoid.
  
• 3 Wipe off the shift solenoid with a shop towel. Disconnect one of the two plugs that attaches to the shift solenoid. Turn the knob on the volt meter to the ohms setting, so resistance can be measured. Set the volt meter on 200.
  
• 4 Take the black lead of the volt meter and touch the negative battery terminal wire. Take the red lead of volt meter and slide the tip into the terminal plug you just disconnected from the shift solenoid. Look at the reading you get on the digital display of your volt meter. Determine if the reading is between 12 and 25. Readings below 12 or above 25 tell you that the shift solenoid is not working. Reattach the plug to the shift solenoid and pull the second plug attached to the solenoid. Perform the same procedures on this plug wire. Replace the transmission shift solenoid after determining it is bad.
  

Gear Shift Indicator

• 1 Move the gear shift into the desired gear. Look at the gear labels and the arrow, or other indicator, to see if the gear shift indicator lines up with the selected gear.
  
• 2 Move the gear lever to another gear and look to see if the indicator lines up with the selected gear. Misalignment of the arrow will tell you if there is a problem. Moving the gear shift to "neutral" but having the indicator show the transmission is in "drive" tells you the gear shift indicator is not working properly.
  
• 3 Try each gear position to determine how much misalignment is in the indicator. Slide under the car and check for a loose gear shift cable. Check all the gear shift cable connections to ensure they are all tight and are not missing. Tighten any loose gear shift cable clamps or bolts. Replace the gear shift cable if you find that this is causing the misalignment with the gear shift indicator.
  

What trans? AOD? This is 1992 F Series, all I have.

Shift Controls, Automatic Transmission The transmission shift control linkage or cable transfers the transmission operating mode from the selector lever to the transmission. The indicated transmission position on the steering column is transferred to a shift lever on the bottom of the steering column. On vehicles equipped with cable-operated shift systems, the indicated position of the transmission selector lever is transferred to the transmission through the shift cane, then to the cable, and down to the transmission manual shift lever at the transmission. On vehicles equipped with shift rod assemblies, the rod transfers the indicated transmission selector level position through a bell crank assembly to a control rod. The control rod transfers the indicated position to the transmission assembly.
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Automatic Transmission Manual Linkage Adjustments

1. With the engine stopped and the parking brake applied, place the transmission selector lever at the steering column in the D (DRIVE position) for C6 applications and in the (D) (OVERDRIVE position) for AOD and E4OD applications, and hold against the D or (D) stop by applying a three-pound force to the selector lever knob.

1. Loosen the shift rod adjusting nut at point A. Refer to the following illustrations.

1. Shift the manual lever at the transmission into the (D) (overdrive) position for E4OD, by moving the lever all the way rearward, then forward two detents.

1. With the selector lever and transmission manual lever in the(D) position, tighten the nut at point A to 17-24 Nm (12-18 ft-lb) torque. Use care to prevent motion between the stud and rod.

1. Remove the three-pound force from the steering column selector lever knob.

1. Operate the shift lever in all positions to make certain that the manual lever at the transmission is in full detent in all gear ranges. Re-adjust the linkage if required.

1. On F-Super Duty Chassis Cab and Motorhome and Commercial Chassis recheck for correct operation of the automatic transmission selector indicator (PRN(D)21). Refer to Section 11-04A, Steering Column, Shift Rod Within Tube. CAUTION: Under no circumstances will it be permissible to adjust linkage in any position other than the(D) position for E4OD applications.
   

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Automatic Transmission Shift Cable Adjustment

1. From inside the vehicle, place the column shift select lever in the DRIVE position (C6) of the OVERDRIVE (AOD and E4OD). Hang a three-pound weight on the selector lever.

1. Raise vehicle on a hoist.

1. Remove the shift cable from the transmission lever ball stud.

1. Pull down the lock tab on the shift cable body.

1. Position the transmission shift lever in the DRIVE position (C6) or the OVERDRIVE position (AOD and E4OD). This is three detents from the front-most lever position with the first position counting as one.

1. Connect the cable end fitting to the transmission lever ball stud.

1. Push up on the lock tab to lock the cable in the correctly adjusted position.

1. Lower vehicle down from hoist and remove the three-pound weight from the column shift select lever.

1. After making the adjustment, check for park engagement. Check the transmission control lever in all detent positions with the engine running to make sure correct detent/transmission actions. Readjust if necessary.

Replace your Transmission Range Sensor (Also called "Neutral Safety Switch") It is located on top of the transmission housing under the shift lever where the shift cable hooks up.

The shifter cable is adjustable in the column. Remove the column covers and see if you can adjust the cable. You problem is with the cable.

I would take it back to the person that rebuilt it and make them fix it again or get your money back if you can

ford had a recall on the atoumatic transmission shift cabel retention.if the transmission shift cabel assembeled to the steering column bracket is not fully seated,the tranmission shift cabel may slip out of the bracket.should the shift cabel become detached,the driver may not be abel to shift transmission gears or correctly determine the transmission gear position using your gear selector indicator.this condition could lead to unintended vehicle movement in direction other than indicated on your gear selector indicator.in addition,this condition could prevent the vihicle from being restarted. samboiv