Shift Lever Interlock

[EeyoreMarv]

On a 1997 Cougar, automatic transmission. Does anyone know if, there is a shift lever, manual release button ??? If so, where and how to find it. Thanks

[JR Tigerstar]

Originally Posted by EeyoreMarv

On a 1997 Cougar, automatic transmission. Does anyone know if, there is a shift lever, manual release button ??? If so, where and how to find it. Thanks

The only "button" is on the left side of the shifter handle.
You do have to have the brake pedal depressed to shift out of "park".
What are you trying to do?

[EeyoreMarv]

Originally Posted by JR Tigerstar

The only "button" is on the left side of the shifter handle.
You do have to have the brake pedal depressed to shift out of "park".
What are you trying to do?

When it is cold outside air temp., with the brake depressed, the button on the T-Bar will not depress, once the interior is warm it works very well. I have been told there is an over ride to allow you to shift out of park.

[S Koehl]

I had the same similar problem with 2 of my cars. The reason the shift lever button would work after the car was warm with one of my cars was because there was gunk inside where the spring mechanism is, it was easy to take apart and clean. (probably spilled coffee at some time or another) but the heat would losten up the syrupy gunk so that the button would depress but when cold it dried like cement. I don't know if there is an over-ride button but why not try taking it apart and cleaning it to see if you have a similar problem?

[EeyoreMarv]

Originally Posted by S Koehl

I had the same similar problem with 2 of my cars. The reason the shift lever button would work after the car was warm with one of my cars was because there was gunk inside where the spring mechanism is, it was easy to take apart and clean. (probably spilled coffee at some time or another) but the heat would losten up the syrupy gunk so that the button would depress but when cold it dried like cement. I don't know if there is an over-ride button but why not try taking it apart and cleaning it to see if you have a similar problem?

Thanks, that is what has been suggested by others. Also the shift interlock actuator, (Solinoid), mat be gummed up and needs cleaning. Thanks for the help.