OK... I think I figured out what the problem is. Hopefully I'll save somebody some frustration if they have something similar happen.
I suspected the starter was creating a load on the battery. After some work, I was able to get to the starter and remove the power terminal so essentially it was out of the loop of the positive cable. I hooked the battery back up after charging it. Now I have full power in the car for accessories, etc which I did not have before. Turning the key, press the brake, and now I can take it out of gear. So, the starter must be bad which created a load on the battery which in turn must somehow affected the shifter solenoid and/or it sensing that I am pressing the brake since there was such a power drain.
I've got all the bolts out except *ONE* on the starter. It seems like it will be very hard to get to... no room for a ratchet and socket, tried a wrench which should work but the torque needed to break the bolts is crazy. I need a longer wrench to get leverage.
Nothing is easy with electrical components on these cars... same with changing the alternator... the top bolt is so hard to get to it makes you wonder. Ford must have stock in tool companies that make socket extensions and universals.
