97 e-van cant take it out of park

i have 97 250 e- ford van. it is stuck in park. engine running will not go in gear. when i disconnect battery i can move the shifter. it will start in neutral. it all started when the abs light started blinking. i know you got to press the brake pedal to take it out of park but it doesnt work. would it be rewlated to the brake switch , trans power module or park neutral switch? thanks mike

You may want to check to see if your brake lights are working.
If they aren't , chances are the brake lamp switch that feeds current
to the shift interlock solenoid is bad.
Without the voltage from the brake lamp switch, the solenoid cannot
acuate to the unlock position allowing you to shift out of park.
I have seen this problem before and it is relatively easy to fix!!

Good luck and keep me posted on this thread!

Fordman

ford man thanks!! when you were saying no power to the acuator i thought check the fuse. bingo!! that was it. thanks again for your help!!!!!! mike 966969

I had this same problem with an 02 e250. But instead of disconnecting the battery, try turning the ignition to off. Not lock, but the off position just after lock.

Yesterday I couldn't get my '97 Ford E250 work vehicle out of park. I found the fuse blown. Replaced the fuse and everything worked fine. This AM I once again couldn't get it out of park. The fuse was blown again. Previously I had this problem (last year) and some conduit I had in my truck had brused and shorted the wire bundle in the right rear corner of the cargo area. No luck that being the problem this time - that would be too easy.

I have unplugged the brake light switch at the peddle. With no fuse in the circuit and the brake switch disconnected I still have a short between vehicle side (vs battery side) of fuse and ground. What else is in the circuit and where are they?

Any assistance is greatly appreciated. I'm dead in the water (it's been pouring here for two days.

Thanks,

You may want to check to see if your brake lights are working.
If they aren't , chances are the brake lamp switch that feeds current
to the shift interlock solenoid is bad.
Without the voltage from the brake lamp switch, the solenoid cannot
acuate to the unlock position allowing you to shift out of park.
I have seen this problem before and it is relatively easy to fix!!

Good luck and keep me posted on this thread!

Fordman
..this is a wonderful site..
i had the same problem ..my 99 windstar stuck in park and after reading this i checked my brake lights and they were out ..so it turned out it was a bad fuse and changed it and YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS BINGO ..
THANX AGAIN

You have a short in the brake light wiring or have connected a trailer that has a short. The ABS fuse in the main fuse box has blown. To move the vehicle, shut ignition off, set the emergency brake, apply the brakes, turn ignition to ACC, Now you can shift to neutral and start the vehicle and move it to drive. Replace fuse and check wiring. Good Luck