Ford: transmission, foot brake, emergency brake

Question
I put my mustang in park to try and stop it after I lost brakes. After I got it stopped it was still running and I put it in drive to move a little and it moved. I shut the car off and now it wont start. It wont evan turn over. It is a c4 transmission. Did I mess up the transmission?

Answer
Hi.


The park mechanism in an automatic transmission is a lock that swings out and latches the drum inside. If you succeeded in getting it to engage while moving, you can literally tear the transmission apart.  In emergencies, it is best to use the emergency brake.

To see where the damage lies... Apply the E-brake and foot brake and hold the ignition in start position while sliding shifter through the gears.  If it starts, you have bent a linkage or damaged the switch.