Steering Column/Gear question

[HO455]

To amplify what dmjlambert said. I've pointed to wear areas on the detent. The red arrows point to the contact areas that the selector (Yellow arrow) rubs on. On high mileage, low maintenance vehicles the selector may have worn the high areas off the detents. A bit of grease from time to time will cut down on this wear.

There are two adjustments associated with your problem. First is to do as dmjlambert posted and verify the transmission detents are working. Then reconnect the linkage and check to see if the shift indicator points correctly. If the pointer is too far one way or the other you can adjust it at the linkage where it connects to the column.

In the second photo the green arrow points to the lock nut on the linkage adjuster. Once loose you can slide the linkage up and down as shown by the red arrow. The idea being you loosen the nut and place the shift indicator where you want it and retightened the nut.

The second adjustment has to do with the neutral safety switch on the top of the steering column. (Photo #3 green arrow) There is are 2 hex headed screws that hold the switch on the column. The screws go through slotted holes that allow the switch to be adjusted (Red arrow)so the starter will only operate if the truck is in park or neutral. In addition the reverse light switch in in the same block. Occasionally the tab on the switch is so worn or damaged that the switch won't operate correctly. For example the reverse lights may only work when coming from park but not from drive.

I hope this helps if not just ask and we will figure it out.