yo,
bnkrtstk has it...
here is more from another forum:
"Posted by: No1Truck
I had the same problem in my '97 2wd ex. cab. If you encounter this problem and need to get somewhere NOW, look in your owner's manual under "fuses" and pull the fuse that controls the "brake-shift interlock". I believe it is #6. It also controls air suspension and affects the interior lights when getting in and out while truck is running. You will be able to get it in gear and go where you want to go. However, the root of the problem in my truck was the wires leading to the brake switch. Get on the floor on the drivers' side and look carefully at the wiring leading to the brake switch(on the brake pedal). The wires were fatigued and broke right at the switch. I had brake lights intermittently, when the broken wire happened to touch inside the insulation. Whatever you do, make sure you have brake lights before you drive - the cruise control will not disengage without the signal from the brake switch. You can rewire the harness and give yourself a couple more inches of slack in the wires so that they won't fatigue from bending right behind the switch."
....
And as bnkrtstk also wrote:
from Ford:
"Moving a locked gearshift
Automatic transaxle vehicles are equipped with a shift-lock safety feature that prevents the gearshift from being moved out of Park without the brake pedal depressed. If you cannot move the gearshift out of Park with the brake pedal depressed:
1. Continue depressing the brake pedal, and remove the shift-lock override cap with a 2.5 cm (1 inch) or longer screwdriver
2. Insert the screwdriver into the shift-lock override opening and push down
3. Push and hold the thumb button
4. Move the gearshift
If it is necessary to use the above procedure to move the gearshift, it is possible that a fuse has blown and the vehicle’s brake lamps may not be operating properly
For Ford trucks, if the vehicle will not shift from Park with the brake pedal depressed:
Apply parking brake
Remove key
Insert key and rotate one position clockwise (ignition OFF)
Depress the brake pedal and shift to Neutral. (If the vehicle is shifted to Park, repeat the previous steps)
Start the vehicle."
..
and:
"The BOO switch (brake on/off) is the cause for concern. An easy way to check that is to remove the connector from the switch and put a jumper wire across the connector pins. If the brake lights come on then you have a bad BOO. One can be purchased from your local Ford dealer or from most parts stores. They are relatively inexpensive, about 10-15 bucks last time I checked. The reason the vehicle will not come out of park is a safety issue. The brake light circut runs through the shift interlock switch. If the shift interlock doesn't receive power from the brake circut, it wont function thus keeping the driver from shifting into any gear. Hope this helps.
* This post was edited 7/19/2003 3:51pm by Sammy_3 *"