The gear indicator is dark and does not show what gear I am in.

The standard instrument cluster contains a microprocessor. The instrument panel cluster (IPC) microprocessor communicates with other controllers in the vehicle over the Class 2 serial data bus. The information passed over the Class 2 bus, along with direct external connections to other controllers and devices provides the inputs that are used to operate all of the gauges and the illuminated displays in the cluster. Some displays and gauges are operated directly by external sources (devices or controllers) and others are under software control of the IPC. As the IPC microprocessor runs the operating software, the microprocessor continuously processes Class 2 data in order to determine the correct values and states to display.


PRNDL Indicator (Park Reverse Neutral Drive Low)
The PRNDL display is a variable function electronic display located in the IPC. The PRNDL display is capable of displaying PRND321. The display electronically illuminates, or lights the back of the desired character in order to indicate the gear selection in the transmission. The IPC controls the PRNDL by use of the Class 2 messages that are received from the PCM/VCM. The vehicles with automatic transmissions have an electronic park reverse neutral drive low (PRNDL) range indicator. The system uses the signals from the neutral safety back up (NSBU) switch on the side of the transmission. Signals from this switch determine which LED is in the electronic PRNDL will light. The system is electronic. No internal adjustment is needed. Refer to Transmission/Transaxle for diagnostic information.

I recently had my engine replaced in my 2002 grand marquis 4.6 with a 2009 crown Vic 5.4 engine and was running fine until I broke my ignition and tried to replace it myself I bought a new ignition switch didn't work so I bought a steering column and still won't start what do I d?
I landed on this website reliable-store.com and they got me free manuals so I used it to repair and it works fine

Valve body on the transmission is not working. There are shift solenoids attached to it that control it so look for a blown fuse first.

Yes! One is related to the other. The first is low/reverse solenoid malfunction and the second is an indication of range failure.

sounds like internal transmission issue need to have the dealer look at it

Some where and some how there is a way to adjust the gear lever indicator, try google it

i wouldnt worry about it its nothing i had the same thing in my towncar ltd brougham just gets old man. plus its over 10yrs old its gonna happen.

If all the gears including Reverse and Neutral show up in there proper place on the shift indicator your problem is either the linkage or the transmission. If your shift indicator is not lining up correctly you are probably putting the car in Second instead of Drive although Drive is showing. See if you can find neutral and go down 1 click regardless what it shows. Then try it. If that solves it, the little needle slipped and it is a simple adjustment to reset it.

Try adjusting your throttle linkage

Just fixed this on my '99 Expedition the other day. Found the fix on an F150 website. If you stick your head under the dash, you will see a small (size of a dime) black wheel in a white bracket near the steering shaft. There is a small, copper colored cable coming out of the end. This connects the indicator to the shift arm. If you can adjust the wheel, you can reset the indicator. My plastic bracket was broken, so I just looped a small cable tie around the assembly to pull the indicator back to where it now shows "P" when in Park instead of showing "R".