is my shifter bad or is the transmission gone

What is your question?

When I start my van and push the brakes, the shifter goes up and down, will not catch in any gear. Not reverse, neutral, drive, none. Just slides up and down. It does it the same, even if the van is not running. I can turn the key on, hit the brakes, and the shifter goes up and down. Would this be a problem with the shifter on the steering column or is my transmission gone?