My van will not shift into gear

JM. 04 dodge caravan will not shift out of park. Possible brake switch faulty, if brake lights come on though it rules out the switch as faulty. Set the park brake and remove the shift cable from the transmission shift lever on trans. Try moving the lever by hand, if its stuck, then the problem in the transmission if not stuck the problem is in the shifter interlock system,steering column, ignition switch, cable. Check the attached links,instruction and guides, Good luck.

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http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_...

http://www.justanswer.com/chrysler/6sezd...

Okay, what you need to do to test this: 1) keep the parking brake ‘on’ and 2) shift the transmission into N (neutral) and see if this symptom recurs. NOTE: Do not add any accelerator pedal, leave the accelerator pedal alone. If the engine still stalls, you have other issues. If the engine keeps running, you are in luck. THE FIX: 1) you need to remove the throttle body from the intake manifold. This is not difficult. The accelerator cable mechanism is spring loaded, and you can see the slots where the cylindrical cable ends slide out, once you hold the throttle open and rotate them. Disconnect the Throttle Position Sensor AND the Idle Air Control Valve connectors and remove the throttle body. 2) You will need a Torx wrench set to remove BOTH the TPS and IACV. The come in a pocket knife type set for $12 at NAPA. While you are there, get a 1 gallon container of GUNK Throttle Body and Carb Cleaner. A good idea to go ahead and buy a new IACV. 3) After you remove the TPS and IACV, you need to do two things. a) get a flat blade screwdriver and slightly turn the clockspring on the backside of the TPS and see if it springs back into place, once you eject the screwdriver. If it does NOT spring back into place. you will need to replace it as the TPS clockspring inside has broken. b) The IAVC port is likely sooted up and carbonized. Take the whole Throttle Body and immerse that part of it into the GUNK cleaner and let it sit overnight. You can wipe the rest of the inside with a clean rag dipped in the Throttle body cleaner. c) With an AEROSOL Chock and Throttle Body Cleaner, spray the Throttle Body well to remove the degreasing/de-carbonizing residues from the throttle body. 4) Re-install the throttle body assembly back onto the intake manifold and re-attach the cables. REMEMBER to rotate the throttle valve to align the slots and place the cables back through the round holes. 5) Install the NEW IACV into the now thoroughly cleaned port. 6) Install the TPS back on the end of the throttle shaft. IMPORTANT: The TPS has a slight pre-tension against the clockspring. Rotate the the TPS about 15 degrees BEFORE placing it on the shaft to align the mounting holes and then rotate it so the mounting holes align. Check this by allowing the clockspring to force the TPS back to the 15 degree position. If it does not do this, you have turned the TPS in the wrong direction, past the mounting holes to cause a slight pre-tension. Remove it completely and rotate it 15 degrees past the mounting holes in the opposite direction. IF you have got this correct, rotate the TPS to cause the pre-tension condition and re-install the two mounting bolts. It is important to just tighten to snug using the Torx tool. 7) Connect the connectors back on TO BOTH the TPS and the IACV. 8) Disconnect the starter battery for 10 minutes. 9) Connect the starter battery back up and then start the engine. Allow the engine to idle until it reaches operating temperature. This gives the ECU time to reset the values for the new parts you have replaced. HAVE A NICE DAY!

Could also be the brake-shift interlock switch just behind the brake pedal. These go bad all the time. Occam's razor basically states the simplest answer is usually the right one. Before you go ripping everything apart try the simple stuff first. Good Luck!