This problem appears to be ambient temperature related. When cabin temperature is cold (37f or less) the button on the shifter is very hard to press in and at around 28f or less it becomes nearly impossible to push it in making shifting into gear and getting to work very difficult. Has anyone ever seen or heard of this problem? The manager at the oil change place told me that when you press the button a small "release pin drops down" but if the lubrication that is used on the pin gets thick (ie cold teperature) then the pin never drops and the button can't be pushed. If this is true does anyone know of a fix? Tried leaving the car in neutral and using the park brake but you cant remove the key unless its in park. LOL

95 with 160k thanks in advance,
BaJ

This problem appears to be ambient temperature related. When cabin temperature is cold (37f or less) the button on the shifter is very hard to press in and at around 28f or less it becomes nearly impossible to push it in making shifting into gear and getting to work very difficult. Has anyone ever seen or heard of this problem? The manager at the oil change place told me that when you press the button a small "release pin drops down" but if the lubrication that is used on the pin gets thick (ie cold teperature) then the pin never drops and the button can't be pushed. If this is true does anyone know of a fix? Tried leaving the car in neutral and using the park brake but you cant remove the key unless its in park. LOL

95 with 160k thanks in advance,
BaJ
wow! mine does the exact same thing...when ever it gets cold it's very difficult to push the button in..i rember one really cold day,i was unable to drive the car because i couldent get the button in...the only thing i can think of is try spraying it with oil...????

if lack of lubrication is indeed your problem, i'd suggest something like graphite powder instead of oil, just for the fact that oil makes a mess

Pyroil Silicone spray wont harm electrical contacts if it leaks down onto the Normal/Power button switch.

yeah, i almost suggested silicone but i wouldnt want to make the mess w/ it. but that would be my second option

make sure it's a lubricant that is temperature safe