is there some way to override this ?
pressing the brake pedal does not seem to work and its very difficult to get it out of park.

 

I have the same problem of a '94 4wd. I found a different way to read these forums and an answer - I hope.
They said:"Your problem is most likely the interlock solenoid on the gearshift linkage in the console."
I am looking under the dash and in my Chilton. Please post if you solve yours and I'll do the same.
Wolf

 

In the olds days I would just grab the collum and turn it by hand.

 

I still haven't found the 'interlock solenoid', but I charged the new battery after this problem drained it and pulled fuses 5 and 12. After changing them (they weren't bad) and having a hard time reseating them, everything works, now.

Let's go back to the days we could turn the column, spit on the terminal, and nothing stayed on when we turned off the key. Scrap EPA and computers and let's drive cars again!

 

But it would be boring without strange problems like this
Ok...maybe not.
Also check to see if your brake lights work. The feed for the interlock comes from the brake light switch. If it ever happens again that you can't get it out of park just turn off the engine, without turning the key the whole way to lock the steering, then shift it to neutral and start the engine.

 

Thanks, but it was locked up this morning and still won't come out of park. It doesn't go to neutral either. The column is totally unshiftable. The brake lights work. We had read that one and that's why I checked fuses 12 and 5. We checked the Chilton for a picture , wiring schematic, or instructions on testing or replacing the 'interlock solenoid' - sadly there is no mention of any of that.

The only other clues are that the horn and speed control quit a few weeks before this happened. It was 'wiggle adjustable' twice and hasn't been fixable since. The ignition switch has been getting sloppier by the day and the indicator lamps keep flashing 3 pause 2 - long pause. The book for the Ford tester says this is an air bag problem, but we've had it since the local dealer replaced the mass air flow filter/sender. Oh yeh, the local dealer says they won't work on '94s or older, any more - and they recommended one of the local crooks.

 

Sounds like the infamous clockspring again

 

Chivaswolf:

Hummm! Seems like I just heard that line a few days ago. My son has a 87 Olds Cutlass Ciera that was have a problem with the cooling fan circuit.
I asked the local GM dealer what it would cost to test the circuit and the Idiot there said that they don't work on anything older that 10 years old.
I said WHAT!?
And he said that GM made it that they must work on GM cars less than 10 years old but that older than that they didn't have too.
I said that sounded like BS to me.
He said besides we are too busy to work on anything older.
I said, Well your still an Idiot & I'll just see what the BBB has to say about that.

Jay

 

So who was the smart a-- that got rid of the Interstate Commerce Commission, anyway? I guess everybody had better be rich and be able to throw away anything 10 years old or older.

Wait a minute - does that mean no more antiques when the '79s (the first computer fouled up models) turn 25 years old? Only old computer mechanics will be able to restore them.

I couldn't find the solenoid, so I found the right color wires above and below where it should be - and put in a jumper wire. I now start the van, turn the key one click toward off, put it in neutral, and restart in order to drive away normally. Thanks to the guy who said it should work. That was the clue as to how to bypass some of the kid safety crap. Now all I have to do is hope someone will steal it.

OH NO !! THE '79s TURNED 25 THIS YEAR.