Hello, as title states, recently My 1996 Ford Windstar cannot shift out of “Park”. I drove it home, and next day, it cannot get it to shift to any other gears.
The Brake sensor seems to be working, as the brake lights do come on. All the fuses seem to be good. As far as I can tell, the shift linkage cable is in order.
I should note, somebody did bumper tap my front end and sent my van rolling in the parking lot, possibly damaging the pawl. I haven’t drove it as much since then, but i have drove it when i had to. It ran normally, and i drove it as usual other than having to E-brake and use a wheel chuck. Now recently, it cannot get out of park.

AXOD. Fluid is reddish, with a tint of maroon. No metallic specs in fluid as far as i could tell.

Can somebody help me figure out what the problem could be?
Saving up for the inevitable repair shop, since i would like the pawl repaired, but really would like to get it at least out of the way from where its parked on my driveway.
Any help is appreciated. Thank you!

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