97 shifter stuck in park

I went out to leave the house and started the car as normal and the consol shifter would not come out of park unless I used excessive force to push the button in and yes I was pushing down on the brake peddal.Thanks ~Jeff~

Thanks it turned out to be a bad brake light switch.

Your brake lights don't work either do they? Either the fuse (brake), or the switch/wires. It's relatively commonfor the wires to break near the switch from bein bent slightly every time you step on the brakes.

To get around this, insert key turn toward "run" slightly, step on brake, shift from "P" to "N", THEN turn key to "Run/Start".

I had the same thing happen with my 97 4.6. I noticed that it only does it when it is cold outside. With mine if I rock the shifter back and forth while pushing the button it will come out. I took the shifter apart and cleaned and lubricated it, but it didn't help at all, I wouldn't suggest doing it, it was just a waste of time.