Didn't mean to write a book - just got carried away. The symptoms I experienced were the occasional failure to start (maybe every fifth time or so) that required cycling the shifter. This gradually progressed over a period of several days/weeks until I had to cycle the shifter more times than not to get it to engage. Finally came the time when no amount of shifter recycling would let it start.

Based on my experience, I'd say that if you have to cycle the shifter more times than not to start the car, you're close to the end. Can you go three more weeks? Maybe, maybe not. It's a crap shoot at this point.

I had even considered removing the PNP switch and jumping the connection that's failing, but found out that it's not a simple thing. There are a number of wires involved, and the switch apparently does lots of other things besides ensuring that the car's in Park during start. The only fixes are to either replace the switch or never turn the car off.

Good luck - hope it lasts another three weeks.