My 1997 sable has a loose shifter please help

Usually, if the shifter is loose, the bushing on either end of the cable is worn out, and the cable must be replaced.

Check the switch on your brake pedal; it is a safety device that will not allow you to engage the transmission unless your foot is on the brakes. This device will not work without battery power and you might also have a manual over ride on the side of the shifter cover to move the selector anyway.

Not likely a blown transmission. More of a shifter cable issue. There is an adjustment nut on the ****** end. It could be loose or missing. If the nut is fine you have a broken cable.

That happen to me, and A guy helped me. The problem maybe down by the brake pedal, but above the brakes you may have pulled the wires a loose with your feet, or something and the wires need to be put back together maybe with black electrical tape. Definitley have to go down to the floor, and look under where the brake pedal is.

For 1997 Mercury Sable, available engines:
6 Cylinders S 3.0L SFI DOHC (found in 22% of 1997 Mercury Sable)
6 Cylinders U 3.0L SFI (found in 78% of 1997 Mercury Sable)

Hope this help (remember comment and rated this post). Good luck.

Sounds like the safety switch that allows it to shift out of park with brake pedal applied is faulty.

if the car move correctly in all other gears you have a bad transmission if the shifter is loose with a column shift replace the column if the shifter is not loose you have to adjust the linkage at the transmission

If you have checked Power/Ground, and alls good look toward the Multi-Function Sw. (turn sig.sw) this is where everything get distributed at...as for your power loss when shifting, is it column/floor shifter ???? need to know....

Your transmission torque converter lock up clutch is not unlocking, that kills the engine and is the cause of the OD light flashing.

at the base of the head rest there should be a tab that you can push in that allows you to remove them.