The gear shifter on my 240 sticks in park after I start the car. This really only happens after the car has been sitting for the night. If it has been sitting in the parking lot at work for 8 or 9 hours during the day, it shifts just fine.

Usually I can jiggle the shifter for 10 or 15 seconds and shift out of park without using the shift lock override. Occasionally, no amount of jiggling works, so I resort to the shift lock override.

Final note, whether related or not, it seems that once every 6 months or so, the fuse blows on the shift lock circuit. Not sure why or if it's related.

Thanks for any advice you can provide.
John

The wiring going down into the shifter box enters from both front corners. The Neutral safety switch and reverse lights plug in on hte left side; the overdrive and I think shift interlock wires are on the right side of the console.

If it was mine, I know what I'd do: I'd break the shift interlock. If the yellow piece of plastic that you actually push on for the override is removed from the shifter assembly, then the interlock is defeated and the shifter is just like 90 or older cars: no interlock, shift any time you want.

For you, I would first inspect the wiring at the front corners of the shifter box for damage, make sure the plugs under the console are securely plugged in, and make sure the brake light fuse is good. It is possible also for the brake light switch to fail: if the shifter lock acts up, try to have someone observe your brake lights. No lights = bad switch.

If nothing else proves to be a problem, you can replace the shift lock solenoid. They aren't cheap and you're only likely to get it from the dealer.

Good luck with it!

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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 92 244-M47-208K ::: Bilsteins, Turbo swaybars, Virgos, Lowered, Group A wing, Tach, 6-Disc, Satellite Radio, Keyless Entry ::: Coming Soon: B-Cam!

Thanks. Interesting that you should mention the brake lights in your response. I also have had an intermittent problem with brake light failure warning light coming on, though the brake lights work just fine. I thought it was a different problem, but it sounds like maybe it's related?

I thought the brake light warning thing was related to the power window circuit. It seems that the easiest way to kick off a few days of erroneous brake light failure warnings is to hold the two front power window switches down together past the point of the windows being fully up or fully down.

As a matter of fact, I believe, though I've never actually tested the hypothesis, that holding all four power window swithces down is what actually blows the fuse on the shift lock override circuit.

I'll start with running through your original suggestions. I'll let you know what I find.

Thanks again
John

I took off the cover to the shifter box to inspect the wires and noticed the socket holding the bulb that illuminates the gear selector had popped out of its housing. I replaced it without thinking and only realized a few days later that I hadn't had the problem. Haven't had it since either. Apparently the bulb socket was interfering with the shifter and jiggling the shifter would clear up the obstruction. Maybe. Haven't been able to put any of your other advice to use since I haven't had the problem but I'll keep it for future reference just in case this is one of those problems that come and go.

Thanks again.