down, 96 tecel-need help

question,
I have a 96 Tercel. It will start but you can't pull the shift out of park.
ya have to use the neutral switch to move the shift from park to drive.
Does anyone know what this problem is?

it may be the lock, you need to push the pedal to move it from park, it is an electric coil, you will need to remove that coil from the shift knob base