96 Olds LSS. 3.8 super charged, 4 door. (Fun fun! Except poor cornering.)
Generally, now, whenever I go to shift after getting in the car and attempt the first movement from park, the button sticks, not allowing the shift from park. (In the past, it was only when outside air temps, and thus the car, were colder.)
When I get in, and step on the brake (required to shift from park), attempting to thumb in the button to shift from park, the button generally sticks. On rare occasions it doesn't. The only way I've found to get it to release is either pound my fist on the button in an effort to drive it in, or pound my fist on the top of the shifter handle. Both methods tend to eventually free up the "seemingly" stuck button. I'd say the top pound is better or more effective. No amount of pressing, pumping up, or stomping hard on the brake pedal has ever seemed to have released that button.

Question: Is there something in that shift handle that simply needs more lube? (Only been 25 years since 96, that I assume it ain't been lubed in.) Or is there more likely some electrical glitch causing the problem, preventing that button from going in when I first attempt it after holding the brake pedal? And "if" it indeed is likely lubing in the shifter handle, is there a spray I can use around that button where it goes in the handle, so as to not need taking the handle apart?

 

Thats a good question john. IDK the answer. I think pounding on it, while it may be effective is probably not the best way to get it to work.
my best guess is the interlock between the brake pedal and the shifter button is slighlty out of adjustment, it may need lube too or could have a broken or cracked piece that prevents easy operation.

while 25 yrs old, your car is newer than most of the olds on here so it can be tough to find members w good knowledge of your car. Chevy made more cars than olds and shared many similarities w components. The lss is a little bit of a unicorn, i had to look up what it was, it looks like a pretty cool car! If you can find a chevy of that era thats similar you may have better luck learning about some common issues. One guess may be the chevy impala SS could share some comonalities w your lss.

if it were me i would start w learning how the interlock works and if it needs adjusment ( could just be a loose sliding switch) . If thst doesnt help then id start investigating the shifter itself.

good luck, if you figure it out post back and let us know. Who knows in 25 more years you may be the lss guru

 

I think the spring mechanism in the handle is the issue... Simple test would be to remove the U-Clip holding the handle in place and pull up on the handle removing it from the shifter... There will be a plunger (Usually white or black plastic) sticking out of the shifter, actuate the shifter using the plastic plunger and verify the shifting actions... If this works, the handle is definitely the issue and may be able to be lubricated from the underside where the handle slides onto the shifter... You may also be able spray some lubricant (such as WD-40, which usually comes with a long plastic nozzle) through the side where the button is located... This should free up the spring unless the spring (or the button plunger) is actually broken, in which case you will need to replace the handle... I may have a used handle if you should need one...

 

Hahahahahaha. Push'n 7 decades right now, and the way this ole world is headed, I don't believe I'd want to be around in 25 years. (But I digress.)

Will definitely submit real "solutions" to getting my shifter working so there's no need to take out my frustrations on it to get it working.
The next responder gave more idea on the how to fix. Just haven't been back in the car standing on my head looking under that shift **** for the u-clip to get-r-done. Should either have more question or success within a week.

 

I bet if you take the console apart you will find the sticky residue of spilled coffee and drinks. I can’t tell you number of times I cleaned out shifters and consoles at the dealership I worked at for the very complaint you have. The customer cleans the outside mess, but it’s the crud that oozes into the console that creates a problem.

 

Maybe these photos will help with your efforts...

 

CRUZN 66
Yes, absolutely, your photos and input are wonderful.
+-1/2 hour ago found a little "round toit" so decided to take a look for my keeper "right under" the ****, where the round metal shaft goes into the ****. "Dang, mine ain't got one there, "under" the bottom square of the ****. So back in I come to the computer to get more/better "splain'n" where the heck that keeper may be and how to get at it.
And I see specific photos ya posted of my handle. "Ohhh, I didn't look "there" for the keeper"!
So, now I've been back out, pulled the keeper very easily with a wine cork corkscrew. May be the only time in my life I ever use a corkscrew, but it happened to be in my drawer of do-dads and small screwdrivers I was searching through for something to work with to pull the keeper. "Ay yup, worked perfect and so simple". Hard part was knowing where to look!
With handle removed, my inner shaft plastic post sticking up out of the metal round stock is the same as yours, though mine is white. "Maybe" an indication of the lack of lube on mine, and possible graphite on yours. Which brings up my next question.
Assuming my plastic button nicely projecting and with a flat top (the same as yours) out of my round metal shifter shaft simply needs some lube (graphite maybe?), what might ya suggest using?
All mechanisms seem to activate related to use of the brake. "Without" the "U-clip" back in place, and holding down pressure on the shift handle in place, there is an audible and felt click as soon as the brake is depressed. Never seemed to have had that with the clip holding the handle on, but never knew enough to listen/feel for it before.
Am I simply making an *** of myself "***"uming I simply need lube on that plastic button protruding from the metal shifter shaft?

 

I can see a celebratory banana split in your future.

 

I would just spray some WD-40 down the shifter shaft as well as in the handle opening to lubricate the button actually in the handle...If the shifter functions properly by pushing down on the plastic button, I doubt the shifter itself is the problem, but lubricating it can't hurt... After lubricating the shifter as well as the handle button, reassemble and see if the button still sticks...

 

Would that be for CRUZN 66 for his right-on helps, or myself, or both.

Been so long since I've had a banana split, well can't say I've forgotten what they taste like. Ay yup, celebrating success is a good reason to go for one. Now all I gotta do is find the place open that serves 'em that'll accept me without a mask. Man, what a crazy world we are now in!

 

It's Easter. It's for both of you and anyone else that likes bananas.