Shifter linkage issue
 

My 98 shifter lever wouldn't go into park one day about 3 months ago, and has gotten to the point now that I can't start my car because I can't get it into neutral. I found a silver pin approximately 1/8 inch in diameter and a little longer than an inch laying on my floor mat that I can only assume is a connecting pin, but from where I can't say. It appears broken on one end. I can't find a diagram of the gearshift linkages anywhere. Can anyone give me some guidance?

Buy a copy of the Mercury Grand Marquis shop repair service manual for that year. That is the bible for the details that the generic repair manuals miss.
AllData is another good source.

My local community college has an auto repair program and the library has an online AllData subscription.

My 1999 MGM (120k) has a similar issue. Car starts in Park. Reverse in N neutral. Neutral is in OF . OD(overdrive) is in D1.Had
You Tube research shows two loose bolts loose or one falling out of the bracket connected to the shift lever. Follow the brake pedal up under the dash while lying on your back. No way I could get back up from that position.
So I have taken off the lower side dash panels and key shroud from the steering column.
Now considering removal of driver seat to create a more comfortable work space. Or lower the steering column.
Any ideas.


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Ford Service Information CD disk
 

I went on eBay and bought Ford Service Information CD disk for my 96 Ford and 97 Mercury. They are a little hard at the first, but they tell you how take thing apart and how to put them back together, show diagrams, but no videos, they have wiring diagrams, shop manuals, all on one disk, I found the disk for my cars years1996-1999. Even has the main part of the part number, like the part numbers F6AZ-9B659-AC it gives you 9B659 part of the whole number, which not whole number, but then you can call Ford for full number. I hope this may help somebody.

Is the indicator or the lever
 

Is the indicator or the lever, sometimes the indicator cable will get lose and shows in revers when your cars in park, it may just need adjustment.