Chevy & GMC Vans

Went out this morning to run an errand, started the van, buth the shift selector would not move out of Park with engine running and foot on brake. I'm thinking the brake pedal is not telling transmission that it is OK to shift to Reverse or drive and is keeping the tranny locked.
Anyone got any ideas where I should start to troubleshoot?

Try turning the wheel when pushing the brake pedal. It must be the park solenoid not releasing. Haven't heard of anyone else having this issue! Look under the dash on the brake pedal for a couple switches. One is for the TCC/cruise servo and the other should be for the park solenoid. Maybe the switch got moved just enough to not allow the pedal to release it. Hopefully another member has messed with this!

Here is a post from different thread with the same issue...

astromaddox wrote:On the 96 model you have the shift mechanism which is on the column, this has two small rods that attach to it, one is the shift cable which go though the floor and to the selector lever on the transmission, the other go's to the lock-out on the column. I think the lock-out was the problem and when i've forced the lever I've broke the lock-out and snapped the shift lever mechanism. With a little ajustment to the cable I can now get all gears. I now just need to order some parts to finish.

Thanks again, Jamie

Thanks for your reply. I had read on another thread about a similar problem on a Chev half ton, which only occurred when it was cold. It was -10C here last night, so I elt the van warm up for 20 minutes, and then went out to try again....presto...shift selector moved smoothly through RNDL without any hitches, back into Park. I wouldn't think of the brake sensor/switch as being temeprature sensitive, but I'll have another look under the pedal again when it get's a little warmer and I'm in a contortionist/claustrophobic mood...lol
Cheers

Could the shift linkage have been frozen?

i second that. It is outside under the vehicle after all and if there was moisture on it before the temp dropped..... could be.

Anything is possible I guess, but it didn't even budge a bit, felt more like the release solenoid in the steering column (if there is such a thing) wasn't receiving any info from the brake pedal sensor. We'll see how it goes