I believe that the automatic transmission shift cable (from the control arm on the end of the shift tube which is mounted to the top of the steering column down to the left side of the transmission shifting shaft bracket) has failed in my 95 Ranger 2WD with the 4.0 engine (174K miles) . All at once the truck lost the ability to shift into park and reverse using the column shifter. Also the position indicated by the shifter did not match the gear that the transmission was in for example indicated park was really neutral and indicated reverse was really drive. The transmission shifts fine if done by hand from under the truck so I don't believe it to be a transmission issue. There is a section of heat insulation on the shift cable close to where it passes by the exhaust pipe that appears to have been worn/burned away possibly down to the cable inside. I have checked all the threads in this section and didn't see anything close to my problem. Anybody have any experience with this situation? Thanks.

pics might help, try changing the cable?

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2006 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II
torsion bar crank, 32x11.50R15's, DSG Alcoa's, S10 Blazer short OHC, black interior, Sonar projector headlights, taillight mod, Nightshades, hood/grille blackout, glasspack and resonator tip side exhaust, Xtang Blackmagic tonneau cover, THE original STX swap.
1986 Ford Bronco XLT
2013 Ford Focus SE

Well I bought the new shift cable along with a couple of new shift tube bushings. I will put it all back together and see if it works.

The new parts did the trick. Should last another 173K miles.

I am so thankful to have found this post. Although I have a 2002 Honda Odyssey, I have not been able to find anything similar to the problem I'm having. After troubleshooting it, I know what it isn't and have started to suspect the shift cable. We had something fly off a vehicle months ago and it went under our van, hitting something. At the time we did not notice anything. After reviewing this, I've checked and the shifter cable has some corrosion. Do you have any tips on buying one. I have no idea what I'm doing, but I will not buy parts from the dealership due to high markups. I'd rather purchase one myself and have someone put it on.

does anyone have any "show and tell" information that will allow a rank novice to actually replace the transmission shift cable, that Boo describes above?

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1995 XL, 6 cycl, auto, 3.0L, badly abused