Can't move shifter out of Park after starting engine on my 2000 Taurus. To drive the car, I have to stop the engine, turn the key back slightly, then switch to Neutral and restart the engine. What's up with that?

Hello, You are having problems with the Interlock controls. There is an Electric switch at the top of the Brake pedal lever that makes the car stay in Park UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. Because you are not in Alignment with the switches, you are using Neutral instead.

The most likely culprit is the switch I mentioned under the dash. Many people have broken it or knocked it off the holder. The second issue is the Alignment of the Ignition switch Interlock rod or cable. This part is raised or lowered by the Ignition switch and when you turn the Ignition switch, the rod moves. The part that the rod moves is an Interlock switch.

The Interlock switch can also free up your shifter. Also, if the Trigger on the shift for the console is not properly aligned, you will have similar release problems. It is another Interlock problem.