On the column shift lever does not accuate transmission shift when moved.

1/2ton I presume automatic.? Remove shift lever from trainsmisionn should be two clicks toward rear from lowest point

if the shift process is through a cable then check the cable for wear and fraying, rust or dry. If it is through linkage check for worn /rusted /tight connections

The shift linkage is out of adjustment.

The cable bolt may be loose up at the column, the column itself may be loose enough to allow it to shift position as well.

Make sure column is securely mounted, If not- tighten the 4 bolts that hold it to the dash support so it is. if it is, crawl under driver's side and on the transmission is a bracket where the cable assembly comes into it, and from there a rod that attaches on the lever on the side of the transmission. Make sure the bracket is not damaged or cracked first- if it is, replace it. There is a captive clip to release on the wide part of the piece that the bracket holds, it does not come out fully, but it will release the cable housing so you can slide it to adjust it. With the column shift in Park position, note where the rod is at the transmission. Also make note if the bracket is in line with transmission. If bracket is in line, pull the lever rearward one notch/detent that you will feel engage the lever- this moves the transmission lever to neutral, then with firm pressure push lever forward so you feel 2 distinct notches/detents forward, the lever is now in park. Push locking clip back into position once you confirm the cable outer housing is squarely seated into bracket opening and is soundly clipped into the square opening of the bracket.

If the lever will not move to that second detent or you did not feel it, you will need to check by putting the column shift to first gear position, release the connection to the lever on the transmission just to verify location of lever, and verify the lever is indeed in first gear- the lever on the transmission will move no further- then count detents forward from the rear stop. you should end up in park, and you may hear the parking pawl engage the output shaft of transmission. move lever back to the rear to the stop, reattach the connection to the cable, put column in park, release the clip again and verify the lever is as far forward as it is going to move. Push clip into lock position.

Start Explorer, with foot on brake pedal, release the emergency/parking brake and see if the vehicle moves, or if it is truly in park. It should be in park.

If you encounter some dificulty with getting the column shift lever itself moved over to park- apply brake pedal to release the park interlock mechanism.

With the ebrake applied. Block all the wheels and disconnect the linkage at the transmission. Then see if you can move the shifter easy. if so check the transmission shift linkage. and see if it moves easy.

SHIFTER LOCKED IN PLACE

1. Remove the instrument panel cover below the steering column, then remove the steering column shrouds to gain access to the brake transmission shift interlock (BTSI) solenoid. The solenoid is part of the interlock cable assembly.
2. Disconnect the wire connector from the rear of the BTSI solenoid.
3. Insert the ignition key and turn it to the ON position.
4. With the brakes applied, try moving the shifter out of the PARK position.

• If the lever now moves freely in and out of PARK, perform the Circuit Test below.
• If the shift lever still does not move from the PARK position, remove the BTSI solenoid from the shift lever assembly. If the shift lever now moves freely in and out of the park position, the BTSI solenoid is faulty and the interlock cable must be replaced. If the shift lever still does not move from the park position, the problem is in the shift lever assembly or the ignition interlock cassette

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.

It sounds like the shift tube bushings are worn out. There are usually 2 u shaped clamps that have nylon bushings that hold the shift tube to the steering clumn. If loose, that throws off the shift position, could be btween 2 gears at once, and throws off the park - neutral safety switch. Fix that first.


Item Part Number Description 1 14A664 Air Bag Sliding Contact 2 3530 Upper Steering Column Shroud 3 3518 Steering Column Bearing Sleeve 4 3517 Steering Column Bearing 5 3511 Steering Column Lock Cylinder Housing 6 13K359 Multi-Function Switch 7 N808114 Pin 8 N805857 Steering Column Release Lever Pin 9 3D544 Steering Column Release Lever 10 3F609 Tilt Wheel Handle and Shank 11 7361 Column Shift Selector Lever Plunger 12 7210 Gearshift Lever 13 3D657 Steering Column Shaft 14 7B071 Transmission Control Selector Lever Plunger Spring 15 7G357 Gearshift Lever Pin 16 7212 Transmission Column Shift Selector Tube 17 N806582 Tilt Column Pivot Screw 18 7C464 Transmission Control Selector Lever Spring Clip 19 7E400 Gearshift Tube Bushing Clamp 20 - Spacer (Fixed Column) 21 3E729 Steering Shaft (Fixed Column) 22 3F527 Lever Assembly (Manual Transmission) 23 3F530 Pin (Manual Transmission) 24 3F752 Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid 25 7335 Gearshift Lever Socket Bushing 26 7A216 Transmission Shift Selector Position Insert 27 7302 Transmission Selector Lever Arm and Support 28 7E395 Shift Cable and Bracket 29 7210 Gearshift Lever 30 3E691 Steering Column Shift Lock Pawl 31 7W441 Gearshift Lever Pin 32 3676 Steering Column Instrument Panel Bracket 33 3D681 Steering Column Lower Bearing Retainer 34 3517 Steering Column Bearing Sleeve 35 3L539 Steering Column Bearing Tolerance Ring 36 3C674 Steering Column Lower Bearing Spring 37 3C131 Sensor Ring 38 3518 Steering Column Bearing 39 N806423-S56 Steering Column Retaining Nuts 40 14A163 Wiring Harness Retainer 41 3F723 Steering Actuator Housing 42 3B663 Steering Column Lock Lever Pin 43 11572 Ignition Switch 44 3D655 Steering Column Position Spring 45 3D653 Steering Column Locking Lever (LH) 46 3B768 Steering Column Position Lock Spring 47 3B662 Steering Column Locking Lever (RH) 48 3E715 Lower Steering Column Lock Actuator 49 3E696 Steering Column Lock Spring 50 3E691 Steering Column Shaft Lock Pawl 51 3E723 Upper Steering Column Lock Lever Actuator 52 3E695 Steering Column Lock Cam 53 3D656 Steering Column Tilt Flange Bumper 54 14A163 Wiring Harness Retainer 55 391727-S304 Shroud Screws 56 3530 Steering Column Shroud 57 3E717 Steering Column Lock Gear 58 3E700 Steering Column Lock Housing Bearing 59 3C610 Bearing Retainer 60 11582 Ignition Switch Lock Cylinder 61 3L539 Steering Column Tolerance Ring 62 3520 Steering Column Upper Bearing Spring 63 3C610 Snap Ring

your problem with the gear selector is in the item 25 these are 2 plastic bushings that wear out and cause the gear selector feels loose, you should also check the item 27 this item has one or two screws loose and cause the gear selector feels loose



Item Part Number Description 10 3F609 Tilt Wheel Handle and Shank 11 7361 Column Shift Selector Lever Plunger 12 7210 Gearshift Lever 13 3D657 Steering Column Shaft 14 7B071 Transmission Control Selector Lever Plunger Spring 15 7G357 Gearshift Lever Pin 16 7212 Shift Tube 17 N806582 Tilt Column Pivot Screw 18 7C464 Transmission Control Selector Lever Spring Clip 19 7E400 Gearshift Tube Bushing Clamp 20 - Spacer (Fixed Column) 21 3E729 Steering Shaft (Fixed Column) 22 3F527 Lever Assembly (Manual Transmission) 23 3F530 Pin (Manual Transmission) 24 3F752 Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid 25 7335 Gearshift Lever Socket Bushing 26 7A216 Transmission Shift Selector Position Insert 27 7302 Transmission Selector Lever Arm and Support 28 7E395 Shift Cable and Bracket 29 7210 Gearshift Lever 30 3E691 Steering Column Lock Pawl

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

center console shifter? if so, likely could be a misadj shift cable, you can pull loose top cover per instruction maneul tells you how to get out of park till you can get it adj, or repaired