Hey, new member here I just need a quick answer. A friend of mine has a 1989 Ford Econoline Van and he asked me if i could find someone with an answer. He says he can start the van most of the time but when he starts it it will not come out of park. You can try and and it will go nowhere, there are no grinds it's just like it's locked into park. If anyone has info let me know! Thanks

 

Does the shifter move? If it does look under the van on the drivers side to see if linkage is moving. If it is not moving, look for loose linkage/broken cable. Let us know.

 

Can't remember if the 1989 models have the "BRAKE INTERLOCK" system. If it does, then I would check to see if the brake switch is bad or pushed back too far at the brake pedal. If there is no power going to the interlock, then the system will not allow the shifter to be moved. Start by checking to see if the brake lkights come on.

 

yes the 89 models have the brake interlock device -see if it will shift out of park while turning the ignition switch about 3/4 of the way but not to the start position -this is fords override to prevent from being stranded,mark.

 

Just food for thought, but I thought most Automatic Transmissions had a Manual override usually located on the Shift Console for just such an occasion so you can drive the vehicle to the Garage for service?

Or like Marks460 said, could be Fords way of doing it. I will have to check that out myself as well. I might need to know that.