When I start my 1997 t-bird in the morning, it will not shift into gear. It is impossible to depress the button and move the shifter. I have followed the instructions in the book to override the system with no luck. If I let the car run for 2 to 5 minutes, it will shift right into park and generally does not give me a problem again during the day. My transmission guy says it sounds electrical and he would rather not delve into it. If it were a bad solenoid, wouldn't it be a more consistent problem? Help!!!

 

I have a 1997 Bird as well, part of my shifter problem was that the plastic insert near the bottom of the shifter started getting a little gunked up from soda splash and other accumilated build up. I got some glass cleaner and started spraying down the plastic and wiping the plastic down as I actuated the shifter between park and Drive 1 respraying as needed till it came up clean, I also sprayed some down the shift button to help break up some of the built up gunk. The colder the temperature was in the morning the worse it got. After breaking up the water based gunk I then followed it up a few days later after the water dried and sprayed some WD-40 in to the shift button. Seems to have helped out quite a bit now and the shifting is much easier.

 

Thank you fblevins1; I wish the solution could be that easy. This car has never had anything eaten or drank in it - ever. My mother-in-law bought it brand new and she is as particular as anyone I've ever known. I just happen to be using the car recently as she only drives it in the summer. Thanks for the suggestion though...