Switched steering columns now I don't know what gear I'm in?

[Derek939]

I just did the steering column switch but now my gear reader won't move out of the park position even though I'm in gear. Is there anyway to fix this or should I just start counting to know my current gear?

Thanks a bunch!
Derek

[MountainManJoe]

Well if you just worked on the steering column, then perhaps you should go back and check your work.

Other than that, a flaky connection in the NSS (Neutral Safety Switch) plug can cause the gear indicator to act funky. That's located on the transmission.

[Kidhauler]

There is a cable that goes around the steering column and has a little clip that hooks on to the bottom of the column that rotates with the shifter. That cable pulls the little indicator back and forth to show the gears. The cable probably got wadded up on top of the new column if you look and feel around you should find it. Worst case tou might have to pull the gauge panel to find the cable.

Hope this helps

Ps the neutral saftey switch doesn't really apply to the older vans with a mechanical movement as opposed to the newer ones with a digital indicator.

[Derek939]

I more then likely didn't see that clip when I was swapping the columns. I'll go look through there tomorrow. I knew it was not one of wires cause it would
Make no sense to have the shift indicator run off of an electrical piece.

Thank you for the tips hopefully I can get it working again! At least you new a key to start my van now and my blinkers work!

[MountainManJoe]

My bad. Electronic indicators were added later. Probably in '93 along with the 4L60-E