I was told my linkage cable between the steering column and transmission might be the reason my van won't accelerate

CHECK YOUR SAFETY NEUTRAL SWITCH UNDER THE DASH BY THE STEERING COLUMN OR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, IT MAY HAVE COME LOOSE.

First thing is to get safety glasses,block wheels securely !!...set emergency brake..,get a good flashlight.Disconnect negative battery cable...Some can wear inside the steering column,some can be a worn linkage cable ...The lever on the transmission located under vehicle Trans at lower part of trans,driver side can become loose or possibly damaged...First get under vehicle with safety glasses and observe operation of the lever where shift cable is mounted while assistant puts it in park...make sure the trans shift lever mounting nut is tight before shifting..If assistant can't get it in park use your hand and push forward on the linkage arm and it should go into park manually...If this is the problem you need to change shift cable...Some wear inside the column where steering wheel is mounted..If cab shifter feels very loose ..You will have to remove steering wheel and column cover to inspect."..The cable runs from trans to the steering column..Look between gas and brake pedal and verify cable coming up through floor board and runs to steering column...Double check shifter lever at trans is tight because it is mounted on a splined stud and it can strip the stud threads if it becomes loose..If loose remove lever and inspect splines for damage..Call dealer and make sure they have the part..Remove old cable from trans and put it in park with your hand...Remove and replace cable..Be sure lever inside cab and lever on the trans are both fully engaged into park while cable is removed before installing new cable....Attach new cable.....

I would check the link on the side of the transmission, and the link at the steering column end along with the connection to the shift levers at either end. If loose, tighten things up and it might work. You will likely see where the 'slop' is in the linkage or cable that prevents the cable from pulling the transmission lever into Park. Remove the steering column cover for access to view/tighten etc the shift lever end of the cable.

You will need to have it up on a lift to inspect the under carriage where it hooks up to the transmission. Sounds like you lost something.

there is no linkage there is a cable fron the transmission to steering column nylon gromets on each end break replace shifter cable

MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE IS OFF AND IS BLOCKED TO PREVENT ROLLING ON SOME/THING/ONE!!!!!;BEST TO DO THIS WHEN UNDER A LIFT AT A SHOP !!!!!! (1)if the steering is locked,it won't shift. (2)if steering's unlocked but still won't shift,have someone follow the linkage from the steering column to the end(transmission)something may be obstructing its movement.(3) disconnect linkage from transmission end(where linkage connects to transmission) and see if you can shift it with,without destroying spline on shaft,a pair of vise-grips; if there's now movement of the shaft,it's in the linkage BUT if not,you may have internal problem(s) in the transmission itself. NOW,ALL THIS IS IF THE TRANSMISSION WORKS ON MECHANICAL LINKAGES AND NOT VACCUM ACTIVATORS. Please do your checking it out with help by you and use utmost safety!!!!!.

I can only hope it is not the same as a '94 car!
I just completed the repairs on a 94 Ford car, and on it, here is what we found.
The shift linkage is inside the steering column.
There are 2 black nylon/plastic bushings that wear out, and when they do, the shifting gets sloppy first, and then the silly thing falls apart, and you get stuck in gear!
You have to remove the steering wheel and the steering column to fix this, but it is not really hard to do so.
Be blessed as you find your answers.

What trans? AOD? This is 1992 F Series, all I have.

Shift Controls, Automatic Transmission The transmission shift control linkage or cable transfers the transmission operating mode from the selector lever to the transmission. The indicated transmission position on the steering column is transferred to a shift lever on the bottom of the steering column. On vehicles equipped with cable-operated shift systems, the indicated position of the transmission selector lever is transferred to the transmission through the shift cane, then to the cable, and down to the transmission manual shift lever at the transmission. On vehicles equipped with shift rod assemblies, the rod transfers the indicated transmission selector level position through a bell crank assembly to a control rod. The control rod transfers the indicated position to the transmission assembly.
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Automatic Transmission Manual Linkage Adjustments

1. With the engine stopped and the parking brake applied, place the transmission selector lever at the steering column in the D (DRIVE position) for C6 applications and in the (D) (OVERDRIVE position) for AOD and E4OD applications, and hold against the D or (D) stop by applying a three-pound force to the selector lever knob.

1. Loosen the shift rod adjusting nut at point A. Refer to the following illustrations.

1. Shift the manual lever at the transmission into the (D) (overdrive) position for E4OD, by moving the lever all the way rearward, then forward two detents.

1. With the selector lever and transmission manual lever in the(D) position, tighten the nut at point A to 17-24 Nm (12-18 ft-lb) torque. Use care to prevent motion between the stud and rod.

1. Remove the three-pound force from the steering column selector lever knob.

1. Operate the shift lever in all positions to make certain that the manual lever at the transmission is in full detent in all gear ranges. Re-adjust the linkage if required.

1. On F-Super Duty Chassis Cab and Motorhome and Commercial Chassis recheck for correct operation of the automatic transmission selector indicator (PRN(D)21). Refer to Section 11-04A, Steering Column, Shift Rod Within Tube. CAUTION: Under no circumstances will it be permissible to adjust linkage in any position other than the(D) position for E4OD applications.
   

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Automatic Transmission Shift Cable Adjustment

1. From inside the vehicle, place the column shift select lever in the DRIVE position (C6) of the OVERDRIVE (AOD and E4OD). Hang a three-pound weight on the selector lever.

1. Raise vehicle on a hoist.

1. Remove the shift cable from the transmission lever ball stud.

1. Pull down the lock tab on the shift cable body.

1. Position the transmission shift lever in the DRIVE position (C6) or the OVERDRIVE position (AOD and E4OD). This is three detents from the front-most lever position with the first position counting as one.

1. Connect the cable end fitting to the transmission lever ball stud.

1. Push up on the lock tab to lock the cable in the correctly adjusted position.

1. Lower vehicle down from hoist and remove the three-pound weight from the column shift select lever.

1. After making the adjustment, check for park engagement. Check the transmission control lever in all detent positions with the engine running to make sure correct detent/transmission actions. Readjust if necessary.

You may have a loose shift linkage in the steering column. Remove the upper and lower plastic covers behind the steerong wheel (5 or 6 philips head) and see if you have any loose torx head or allen head screws. Ea
rlier models had this isue.

Also, go to this site for Villager Quest help.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/villagerquest/
Here's adjustment procedure too

SECTION 307-05: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission External Controls 2000 Villager Workshop Manual
GENERAL PROCEDURES Cable Adjustment —Shift Control

1. Place the gearshift lever in PARK (P) position.

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Section 100-02 .

1. Remove the splash shield.

1. Loosen the shift cable nut.

1. Position the shift linkage in PARK (P) position.

1. Tighten the shift cable nut.

1. Move the gearshift lever through the entire shifting range.

1. Verify that the engine will crank with the gearshift lever in PARK (P) or NEUTRAL (N) position.

1. Adjust the transmission range (TR) switch as necessary, refer to Section 307-01 .

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Item Part Number Description 1 043B13 Driver side air bag module 2 — Steering wheel nut 3 3600 Steering wheel 4 — Radio volume control cover 5 — Air bag sliding contact electrical connector access panel 6 — Cruise control cover 7 14A664 Air bag sliding contact 8 13K359 Multifunction switch 9 — Tilt wheel lever 10 13318 Turn indicator cancel cam 11 — Steering column assembly 12 — Steering column mounting bracket nuts (4 Req'd) 13 3C695 Lower column shroud 14 — Steering column opening cover nuts (3 Req'd) 15 — Steering column lower yoke bolt 16 3N725 Steering column lower yoke 17 — Steering column clamp bolt 18 3C695 Upper column shroud 19 7210 Gearshift lever

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

If necessary for access or service remove the steering wheel. Except for on 1967-69 simulated wood wheels, be sure to use a steering wheel puller.

1. Remove the nut/bolt from the upper intermediate shaft coupling, then separate the coupling from the lower end of the steering column.
2. If equipped with a column mounted shifter, disconnect the transmission control linkage from the column shift tube levers.
3. If equipped with a floor shifter, disconnect the backdrive linkage.
4. Disengage all of the electrical connectors from the steering column assembly.
5. Remove the floor pan cover-to-floor screws, the floor seal, and the cover.
6. Remove the steering column bracket-to-instrument panel nuts and carefully lower the column. If equipped with an automatic transmission, disconnect the shift position indictor pointer.

Once the steering column has been removed from the vehicle, be careful not to drop it (especially on it's end), lean on it or damage it in any way; the column is very susceptible to damage.

1. Remove the column from the vehicle.

To install:

1. Position the steering column in the vehicle. If equipped with an automatic transmission, connect the shift position indicator pointer.
2. Raise the column into position, then install the column bracket-to-instrument panel nuts and tighten to 25 ft. lbs. (34 Nm).
3. Install the floor pan seal and cover, then secure using the retaining screws.
4. Engage all of the electrical connectors to the steering column assembly.
5. If equipped with a floor shifter, connect the backdrive linkage.
6. If equipped with a column mounted shifter, connect the transmission control linkage to the column shift tube levers.
7. Connect the intermediate shaft coupling to the lower end of the steering column, then secure using the nut/bolt.
8. If removed for access or service, align the matchmarks and install the steering wheel.
9. Connect the negative battery cable.

Good luck..