What year make and model is the transmission from? Does it have an internal or external range switch? It just doesnt make sense how you can be off one position, if the linkage fell off of the manual valve it is not going to act like it is one gear range off, it will have no control and be wherever it is at and you moving the shifter will not change anything other than park or out of park. You really should try what I suggested above. If the fluid pressure switch in the trans isnt matching where things should be the pcm is going to prohibit the range you may be in.
