🚨 1991 Ford Taurus: Emergency Neutral
The 1991 Taurus uses a traditional column-mounted shifter with a mechanical shift interlock tied to the brake pedal switch.
✓ Expert-verified by Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — master technicians, 20+ years each.
⚠️ Chock the wheels first — neutral means the car can roll. Set the parking brake while you work, never stand downhill of the vehicle, and try a 12-volt jump before any override: power fixes most stuck-in-park problems instantly.
The procedure
- Ensure the parking brake is engaged and wheels are chocked.
- Turn the ignition key to the ON or ACC position if possible (even with dead battery, try this—some residual power may remain).
- Locate the shift lock override access hole on the steering column shroud, typically found on the lower left side of the column near the shifter lever base.
- Remove the small rubber or plastic plug covering the override hole—you may need to pry it gently with a flathead screwdriver or trim tool.
- Insert a small screwdriver, Allen key, or similar tool into the override hole and push firmly to depress the internal shift lock mechanism.
- While holding the override depressed, press the shifter button on the lever and move the shifter down from Park through Reverse to Neutral.
- If no tool is available and the battery is completely dead, you may be able to remove the lower steering column cover (typically 2-3 screws) to access the shift interlock mechanism directly and manually release it.
Shift-lock override location
Small access hole on the lower left side of the steering column shroud, near the base of the shifter lever
With zero electrical power
With zero power, the shift interlock solenoid defaults to locked. The override hole bypasses the solenoid mechanically. If you cannot locate the override hole, remove the lower column cover to access the interlock mechanism directly—it is a small plastic lever or cam that can be manually moved to release the shifter.