1996 Ford Aerostar can't shift out of park

I had a 2000 windstar that did the same thing just this week and was told by the trany people that there is a senicer that when you step on the brake lets you out of park if its bad you stay in park. They also told me that some old fords if the brake lights were out it would not let you out of park the only thing for sure is I am on the road angain.