Gear shift button won't release

What make vehicle ? Most all vehicles have a safety system .Don't try an force anything you'll break it !
Electronic Park Lock (EPL)/Ignition Lock Cylinder Control Actuator: If the vehicle is equipped with automatic transmission and a floor mounted console gear shift, it has an ignition lock cylinder control actuator system in the steering column. The ignition lock cylinder control actuator purpose is to prevent the ignition key from being turned to the OFF position when the transmission is in any position other than PARK and the vehicle may still be moving. The column ignition lock system consists of an ignition lock cylinder control actuator, and a park position switch that is located in the automatic transmission shift lock control switch. The ignition lock cylinder control actuator contains a pin that is spring loaded to mechanically prevent the ignition key cylinder from being turned to the lock position when the vehicle transmission is not in the PARK position. If vehicle power is lost, and/or the transmission is not in the PARK position the operator will not be able to turn the ignition key to the lock position and will not be able to remove the ignition key from the column. They also have this on column mounted shifters !

Hi theres a switch on the brake pedal & a solenoid on the gear shift to stop you moving whilst the car is put into drive if the switch is not working correctly it won't release the solinoid to release the gear shift or the soinoid is faulty or your not pressing the brake down hard enough hope this helps

Hi there,

Some automatic vehicles rely on the brake switch (mounted on brake pedal) to be activated by depressing brake pedal. This signal then operates a relay and switch, to release the gear lever.

Firstly, I would check the brake pedal switch (are your brake lights working?).

If brake switch is confirmed OK, then inspect the relay (and related circuit components) of the gear release switch.

Is there any shift lock button near gear lever if yes than push it and give it a a try if no than I think you have you flush the gear oil and replace the gear filter too.

There is a cable that connects your gearshift to the ignition switch, when this cable stretches, it does not allow the gearshift assembly to move when you have the key turned. Removed the assembly around the gear shift assembly and inspect this cable. Removed the cable and manually actuate the lever. See if this fixes the problem as it is common in the S70/C70/V70s that are pre 2000

My car had the same problem. Turns out the gear shift was not correctly going into Park. My mechanic adjusted the gear shift and now it's fine.

There is a button on the console just to the front RH of the gear lever This button must be up. It gets stuck in the down position and locks the gear lever

Hi there this sounds like a common fault it also happens on xc70 xc90 an new s80 if you remove the suround from the gear selector you should be able to see the gear linkage cable too the left hand side towards the back of the cable there is a push fit lock nut it is yellow and plastic which locks cable into position it sounds as though the push nut is not gripping the cable if you gently prise open the yellow part to the left of th car it should open the cable is spring loaded so it will stay in position after releaseing the nut push the nut as far forward as it will go so it moves forward on the cable once you have done this push the yellow push nut back in to secure the cable then you should be able to use your car again but what i would sugest is to get it replaced as its started to wear and will only happen again at a later date hope this helps tony.t

Are you pressing down on the brake padle when you are trying to get it out of park? If that don't work check the fuses & there may be a relay that's may be related to a safty divice to the stick shift. If you don't press the brake padle the stick shift will not release so if you leave the car running a child could not push in gear. The lock silinoid is at the gear console

First thing to do when it does it next is to wiggle the gear shift knob button out. The tend to break apart at the hinge and stick, this causes the key to not release. Use two fingers and wiggle the button while pushing it out and see if it releases.

If it doesn't the mechanism one the gear shifter itself most likely has coke/coffee on it and is sticking. It is mounted right under the cup holders.

you can try to clean it by removing the center console, but I would take it to a garage to do it. The center console has to be removed and the mechanism that does into the shifter has to be removed and cleaned with contact cleaner. It then has to be re-greased and reinstalled.

I hope this helps