If you can't shift out of park with the key on, the problem is usually the brake light switch or the solenoid that locks the shifter.
SOURCE: my ford focus tdi 2003 cant select 1st,3rd or 5th gears.
Car is in limp in mode unless you have the tools to work on automatic transmission you will need to take it to a transmission shop. Of course you can check oil level but I suspect you have other issues.
SOURCE: cannot select any gears on my PT Cruiser
If it is an auotmatic then you need to check the transmission fluid. Remember when checking an automatic the dip stick reads in pints and not quarts like the oil dip stick does. When yo check it the fluid should be a bright redish color. If it is a brownish looking it is time to chane it and replace the filter. In checking it you need the emergency brake on and the ca in neutral and started. After you see what is in it gauging by the level on the dip stick then shut the car off. You need the skinny type tranny fluid funnal because you have to add it right in the tube the dip stick comes out of unless the added a special filler hole that i am unaware of in the newer models.
Once you add the fluid then see if it moves again. if any fluid was left on the dip stick when you first checked it it will not move. It still had enough in it to work it. If none shown on the dip stick then you have hope that it will go. If it still does not go then you need to change the fluid and the filter. The filter may have got plugged up and can not circulate.
Now if it is a standard shift then try to put it in gear when the motor is stopped and then turn the motor over and see if it wants to move? It may be you need a new pressure plate and clutch disc installed. This happens to the best of cars in standard shifts. If the car moves in first gear but you can not shift it then first get some one to check the clutch fluid under the hood in a resevor near the firewall. If it is empty add fluid. Ask what kind the car takes for that year and model. If it is full then you will want to have the clutch bled like you do brakes. I can not help you from here on that matter. I can't see where to tell you to go but usually under the car on the clutch area is a bleeder valve. Again ask when you go for the fluid and tell them the year and make. I am hoping for the best for you but if after you bleed the clutch and it won't go into gear or shift then it is the clutch disc has finally worn out. Don't hold it personally against the car maker. It happens to all standard shift vehicles sooner or later. You can usually make it 10 to 15 years though before it happens. seems a little soon for your model but everyone works the clutch in there own way. So I hate to be the barer of bad news and I hope the simplest fix above will do the trick. You may want to get one more opinion before changing the clutch though. It won't hurt to check the fluid above and try that fix but a clutch replacment will be on the spendy side if you don't have someone to do it for you or you yourself. Probably count on 500 to replace plus parts. I ran an add in craigs list and got mine done for 400 by a mechanic who moonlighted on the side after shop hours at Mazda. So don't go over 500 and thats on the high side to me. Some of these guys will try to get you for 1000 or more just because your either a woman alone and mechanically naive or they feel the man and woman team are suckers and try to bluff you. Most mechanic shops that are professional liscensed shops have a manual that tells them the amount of time your specific vehicle will take to do the job. Everyone of these manuals are the same but is they think you don't know that then they add several hours to the job and over charge you and in the process ripping you a new one just for good measure. So do your home work. Another thing is the liscenced mechanic can do the job less a thrid of what the book says. So don;t let them kid you.
If they tell you they can't do it fasater then you don't want that mechanic. For instance. For me to change the cv jpoint on one side of a mazda 323 with basic trunk tools and a jack takes me 45 minutes from the moment I slip the hand pump jack under the car. The Manual calls for an hour and a half and that is with all the shop tools available. So you see my point about shopping around. Just make sure the person you get off craigslist is not drinking on the job while he does it or doing drugs. But with the economy the way it is you might very well offer 150 bucks cash to do the job plus you supply the parts, dinner while he/she is working, and a half case of soda or beer after the job is done and you might just get several takers. A lot of qualified workers are laid off right now and would glad to make the light bill this month. So keep me informed and I appologize for rambling on but i hate to see people get ripped off. Please give me a thumbs up for doing the best i could for you from here at the Raz Shack. Really let me know. I love to hear that i helpped someone save some cash, Raz
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