Its been acting up and driving me nuts...
Can someone tell me what might to wrong / going wrong and how to fix?

I have auto and whenever I try to backout, I apply the Brake and try to shift to 'Reverse' from 'Park.' Done it thousands of times...
But lately the top bottom on the shifter will not go down and thus I cannot move the shifter from 'park' to 'Reverse.'

I've playing with applying different pressure to the Brake and/or applying pressure at different increments/distance, it seems to help. But its a good few minutes struggle which is pain in the $@#*!
And I am not sure when this will stop working.

Plz help~!
Thank you!

 

What's the mileage? Does it have any problems going into other gears or just coming out of Park?

 

There is a spring under the "button" where you press down on the shift ****. I have a feeling that spring is worn out. Take the top button out and replace the spring.

 

Thank you for the responses so far ---
It has over 110K miles... It does not have any problems going into other gears, just coming out of Park (or Netural if the shift was placed there and egine off etc).

As to the 'spring,' I did take the button off and found a spring at the enlogaged neck portion of the button unit..and not on the button surface corresponding to the thumb... there is a 'roller' on the bottom surface of the button that appears to press the circular plate on the shifter... Is there supposed to be more than one spring???

Also, oddly enough I am wondering if this has to do with the brake unit... when I am pressing the button on top of the shifter, it will not go down...but with the button pressed down, I can adjust my brake pressure and... bingo...at just right pressure?...the button will go down all of the sudden...

Plz - help~

 

You need to have the brakes applied or else the button on top of the **** won't depress.
Maybe the problem is with the cable linkage between brake and shifter?

 

shift interlock ?.....

 

Thanks for those who have commented~!
Will probably take it into shop soon... $$

 

there should be a by pass button so you don't have to have the car on or breaks on to shift it, you can always (not the best idea) push that button down see if it works to help you shift out of park then fix it so it stays down.

 

Come again? Where is this bypass button?

 

As you're in Springfield, take it to Taylor Chapman at German Auto Group, 7520 Backlick Rd; tel 703-440-6777 -- top independent who will diagnose instead of throwing parts at it.