Is there a lighting on my gear shift control at night time

Yes, the shift control cable can be adjusted on this vehicle to correct the shift control lever and selector lever positions. To check if an adjustment is needed, place the shift control lever in the Park position and check to see if the selector lever is all the way forward. If it isn't, adjustment is needed. The adjustment procedure begins with removing the battery, battery tray and floor console. Next, place the shift lever in the Park position and loosen the pinch not on the shift control lever. Move the selector lever all the way forward on the transmission. Then insert the shift control cable into the shift control lever tightly and secure the adjuster pinch nut. Lastly, reinstall the floor console, battery tray and battery. You can read more here: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-shift-selector-cable

On your vehicle there is a shifter interlock system ,it's a safety feature . Doesn't allow shifter to be put into gear if your foot isn't on the brake pedal .
Visual Inspection Chart Mechanical Electrical

• Transmission shift cable
• Manual control lever
• Transmission control module out of adjustment (6-speed transaxle)

• Fuse
• Connections
• Wiring harness
• Brake pedal position (BPP) switch
• Shift lock actuator
• Transmission control (TC) switch (MKZ)

Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Chart
DTC Component Description Condition Symptom Action B2572 Brake Shift Interlock Brake Shift Interlock Output Circuit Failure The associated circuitry connected to the smart junction box (SJB) or fuse, or the SJB itself may have an issue causing a brake shift interlock concern. Brake shift interlock is inoperative or does not operate correctly. Go To Pinpoint Test A . Symptom Chart
SYMPTOM CHART Condition Possible Sources Action

• Shift interlock system does not release/lock correctly

• Circuitry open/shorted
• Fuse(s)
• Stoplight switch

• Go To Pinpoint Test A .

• Shift interlock system does not release/lock correctly

• Shift lock actuator

• INSTALL a new selector lever assembly. REFER to Selector Lever in this section.

PINPOINT TEST A: THE SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM DOES NOT RELEASE/LOCK CORRECTLY Test Step Result / Action to Take A1 TEST THE BRAKE LIGHTS

• Apply the brake pedal and view the brake lights.
• Do the brake lights illuminate?

Yes
GO to A2 .

No
REFER to Section 417-01 . A2 TEST SHIFT INTERLOCK ACTUATOR POWER CIRCUIT

• Disconnect: Floor Shifter Harness Connector C3245.
• Key in ON position.
• Vehicles equipped with a 3.0L or a 2.3L engine, measure the voltage between floor shifter harness connector C3245-1, vehicle harness side and ground, while applying the brake pedal.
  
• Vehicles equipped with a 3.5L engine, measure the voltage between floor shifter harness connector C2096-1, vehicle harness side and ground, while applying the brake pedal.
  
• Is the voltage greater than 10 volts?

Yes
GO to A3 .

No
REPAIR the circuit. TEST the system for normal operation. A3 TEST SHIFT INTERLOCK ACTUATOR GROUND CIRCUIT

• Key in OFF position.
• Vehicles equipped with a 3.0L or a 2.3L engine, measure the resistance between floor shifter harness connector C3245-4, vehicle harness side and ground.
  
• Vehicles equipped with a 3.5L engine, measure the resistance between floor shifter harness connector C2096-5, vehicle harness side and ground.
  
• Is the resistance less than 5 ohms?

Yes
INSTALL a new selector lever. REFER to Selector Lever in this section.

No
REPAIR the circuit. TEST the system for normal operation. Don't try to force it , you'll break something !

These were known for having faulty brake light switche that would cause that problem as well as cruise control inop. I would check that first. It operates the shift-lock solenoid which releases the shifter. There were also some problems with the ignition switches, but mostly on the gm cars.

Find a friend who knows wiring of automotive very well-you may have loose or melted wiring under your dashboard.........

[email protected]

it sounds like the transmission has gone into what they call limp in mode which indicates a problem with the transmission.you will have to have a scan tool put on it to pull the code out of the tcm(transmission control module) which will turn on the engine light.at the same time it may show a code for the temp control.

your problem with the gear selector is in the item 25 these are 2 plastic bushings that wear out and cause the gear selector feels loose, you should also check the item 27 this item has one or two screws loose and cause the gear selector feels loose



Item Part Number Description 10 3F609 Tilt Wheel Handle and Shank 11 7361 Column Shift Selector Lever Plunger 12 7210 Gearshift Lever 13 3D657 Steering Column Shaft 14 7B071 Transmission Control Selector Lever Plunger Spring 15 7G357 Gearshift Lever Pin 16 7212 Shift Tube 17 N806582 Tilt Column Pivot Screw 18 7C464 Transmission Control Selector Lever Spring Clip 19 7E400 Gearshift Tube Bushing Clamp 20 - Spacer (Fixed Column) 21 3E729 Steering Shaft (Fixed Column) 22 3F527 Lever Assembly (Manual Transmission) 23 3F530 Pin (Manual Transmission) 24 3F752 Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid 25 7335 Gearshift Lever Socket Bushing 26 7A216 Transmission Shift Selector Position Insert 27 7302 Transmission Selector Lever Arm and Support 28 7E395 Shift Cable and Bracket 29 7210 Gearshift Lever 30 3E691 Steering Column Lock Pawl

Popular Problems Checks
1. Car will not go into gear:

• Gear selector cable has failed
• Brake lock solenoid/brake light swtich has failed not allowing the gear selector to move out of "Park"
• Excessively low transmission fluid (note: if car is operated for an extended amount of time with low fluid level the transmission will fail prematurely)
• Shorted electrical component not allowing the PCM to control the transmission. Example: shorted fuse
• Flex plate (flywheel) is broken completely not transferring engine power to the transmission.

2. Car goes into gear but then fades out of gear or is slipping while driving:

• Transmission fluid is low
• Transmission clutch discs or bands are worn out or burned
• Faulty transmission shift solenoid.

3. Car goes into gear but does not shift out of first:

• Blown fuse to the PCM controller
• Faulty vehicle speed sensor (VSS)
• Shorted second gear control solenoid
• Faulty transmission controller (PCM)

Back-Up Light Switch/Neutral Safety SwitchREMOVAL & INSTALLATION
(see Figure 1)

On automatic vehicles, functions of both the reverse lamps and the neutral safety switch are controlled by the shift position switch at the base of the shift selector. This multi-circuit switch also sends signals to the various electronic control units (cruise control, automatic transaxle ECU, etc.), keeping them advised of the selected gear.



Fig. 1: Reverse lamp and neutral safety switch functions are both controlled by a shift position switch at the base of the shift selector

To replace the shift position switch, firmly set the parking brake and block the wheels. Place the shift selector in N. Remove the console. The switch is located on the side of the shift selector, held by 2 bolts or nuts. Unplug the wiring connectors, then remove the switch.

When installing the switch, make sure the switch slider is positioned to align with the shifter arm or tab. Install the switch, tighten the retaining nuts or bolts and connect the wiring. Reinstall the console.

After installing the switch, check that the engine starts only in P or N; the starter should not engage with the shifter in any other position. Check also that the back-up lights come on when the selector is placed in R.

Hope this helps (remember comment and rated this).

I can think of two possibilities. 1) The gear selector needs a slight adjustment 2) the bulb for the gear selector is loose or loosing it's ground

Hi David, Look for grounds, especially the headlight switch it self... Most of the time the issue you describe is resolved by replacing the headlight switch. There is a variable resistor that fails, over time.

If the headlight switch itself is loose, proper grounding would fail, and current runs other places.

Both the radio and the gear shifter are affected by the dimmer and on or off status of the headlight switch.

Doc