1997 Bounder ford f53 class a wont shift or start.

With a 460 V8 your starter probably is a "mini" (may be called "high torque" "gear reduction" "permanent magnet" or "permanent magnet gear reduction" "PMGR") that looks about like
and not the old style direct drive like this but your can convert if you like. And I would. We had a PMGR on our boat that ran for years and years in a salty damp environment. Drive got stuck twice and I cleaned/lubed it, continued to march.
Here's one for $45 at DB Electrical. I would NOT simply order this without calling them, as they suggest. Many parts applications don't include the F-53 Ford Motorhome Chassis, but many of their parts will indeed work.

DB Electrical may not be familiar in the RV community but they're respected on the Boat and Automotive forums.

A friend called me one morning, his partner owner in a Class A with 460 tried to start it on a dead battery and it wouldn't crank with a new battery. Starter turned out bad, and they also replaced the remote mounted relay/solenoid. This makes me suspicious that these VERY reliable Ford starters don't tolerate bad batteries very well. Our battery's acting shaky and I'm going to replace it now...

Thanks for coming back with the resolution. That ol 460 starter is normally pretty durable. I have the original starter on my 95 F53, starting a 528 stroker engine. Just waiting for it to time out.

Richard

Thanks, found a loose wire on the break sensor, and the starter siezed up at the same time! Luckily figured it out before paying someone else. Hit the starter with a 2x4 and it started so I will be replacing that soon but at least Im home!

There is a solenoid on the steering column that keeps you from shifting from park unless your foot is on the brake pedal, when the key is in the on position. With the key one click forward of off you can shift from park. That's built in intentionally, in case the stop light switch fails or the stop light fuse fails.
The most common no starter engagement, for you chassis, is the starter relay. It is located in the left side of the dog house, adjacent the throttle pedal.
If you go to IRV2/Ford Motorhome Chassis and ask for the relay location, "subford" will probably post a pic of the location.

Richard