Strange problem...

Hey, so my brothers got a '99 Ford Crown Vic and out of nowhere when he went to start it and put it in drive, it wouldn't shift out of park. And I don't mean the transmission, I mean the actual shifter on the steering column. We read up on it on the net and someone had suggested replacing the Brake ON/OFF switch which is connected to the brake pedal. We replaced that and still doesn't work. Also his brake lights don't work and now his turn signals only work when the hazard button is pushed down. btw we've already checked all the fuses and I figured out that if you turn the key into "lock" position you can shift into neutral and start it, then you can shift into drive. So anyone had this happen before, or know anything about it? I'm puzzled...

change out the steering coulum. sounds youke your is just plane worn and torn.

I definately don't think it's the column itself, seeing as how we can shift it when it's not started. I think it's got to be some kind of electrical problem of some sort. Also since the brake lights don't work it definately more than just the column. Any other ideas?

trace the brake light switch wire from the pedal to the fuse panel there is probably a break in it somewhere and it is not getting voltage to the shifter safety switch. I have also had that problem when I worked on car stereos and alarms and there had been a remote start installed prior to the present owner, and the brake wire had just come apart. also make sure the wires are in the connector that goes to the brake switch good and tight.

my friend had the same problem in the same car. I didnt help fix it but he said the problem was a 5 dollar piece of plastic that snapped in half.

alright thanks, ill see what i can do

he may have an issue with the neutral safety switch.