95 Saturn SL1: automatic gear won't move out of park until engine is on for 5 minutes. Yes, I have the brake pedal pressed.

Safety system , shift lock . Has locking solenoid's that won't allow shifting from park to gear without the diver pressing on the brake pedal . Electrically controlled , brake switch , body control module .
Your best bet would be to take it to a qualified repair shop .
The automatic transmission shift lock control system is a safety device that prevents an inadvertent shift out of PARK when the engine is running. The driver must press the brake pedal before moving the shift lever out of the PARK position. The system consists of the following components:
• The automatic transmission shift lock solenoid (serviced as the automatic transmission shift lock actuator), as well as the body control module (BCM) and the engine control module (ECM). The shift lock solenoid is located within the floor shift control assembly with vehicles equipped with floor shift.
• The BCM controls the voltage supply circuit of the shift lock control solenoid. The following conditions must be met before the BCM will supply voltage to the shift lock control solenoid.
The BCM controls the voltage to the shift lock control solenoid through the shift lock control solenoid controlled voltage circuit. The following conditions must be met before the BCM will supply voltage to the shift lock solenoid:

You probably have a problem with

Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control System
The automatic transmission shift lock control system is a safety device that prevents an inadvertent shift out of PARK when the engine is running. The driver must press the brake pedal before moving the shift lever out of the PARK position. The system consists of the following components.
• The automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid
• The brake switch
• The rear integration module (RIM)
• The transmission control module (TCM) or powertrain control module (PCM)
With the ignition ON, battery positive voltage is supplied to the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid from the ignition 3 relay. The automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid is controlled by the rear integration module. When the rear integration module (RIM) receives a class 2 serial data message from the transmission control module (TCM) or powertrain control module (PCM) indicating that the shift lever is in the PARK position the rear integration module (RIM) grounds the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid control circuit. This causes the solenoid to energize mechanically locking the shift lever in the PARK position. When the driver presses the brake pedal the rear integration module receives the brake applied signal and turns off the ground to the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid control circuit. This allows the shift lever to be moved out of the PARK position.

Shift Lever Does Not Move with Brake Pedal Depressed

2
Apply the parking brake and block the wheels.
Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
Attempt to move the shift lever out of the PARK position.
Does the shift lever move out of the PARK position?
YES - Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems
NO - Go to Step 3
3
Turn OFF the ignition.
Install a scan tool.
Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
With a scan tool, observe the TCC brake switch parameter in the transmission data display list.
Press and release the brake pedal several times.
Does the TCC brake switch status turn ON and OFF with the brake pedal?
YES - Go to Step 4
NO - Go to Stop Lamps Inoperative in Lighting Systems
4
With a scan tool, observe the brake to shift control parameter in the rear integration module data list.
Press and release the brake pedal several times.
Does the brake to shift control status turn ON and OFF with the brake pedal?
YES - Go to Step 5
NO - Go to Step 8
5
Turn OFF the ignition.
Connect a test lamp between the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid supply voltage circuit and the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid control circuit at the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid.
Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
With a scan tool, command the brake to shift control ON and OFF several times while observing the test lamp.
Does the test lamp turn ON and OFF with each command?
YES - Go to Step 7
NO - Go to Step 6
6
Test the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid control circuit for and open or short to battery voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition?
YES - Go to Step 11
NO - Go to Step 8
7
Inspect for poor connection at the harness connector of the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition?
YES - Go to Step 11
NO - Go to Step 9
8
Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the rear integration module (RIM). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition?
Yes - Go to Step 11
NO - Go to Step 10
9
Replace the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid. Refer to Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Actuator Replacement .
YES - Did you complete the replacement?
NO - Go to Step 11
--
10
Replace the RIM. Refer to Control Module References in Computer/Integrating Systems for replacement, setup, and programming.
YES - Did you complete the replacement?
NO - Go to Step 11
--
11
Operate the system in order to verify the repair.
Did you find and correct the condition?
YES - System OK
NO - Go to Step 2

Automatics have a gear shift safety solenoid that locks the gearshift/transmission in park unless the brake pedal is depressed. This is to prevent people from dropping into a gear from park and rolling into traffic or backing up over someone unexpectedly. When you press the brake pedal you should be able to hear a clicking sound coming from under the gear shift lever. If you dont hear the sound then the solenoid may need to be replaced. The other possibility is needing to replace the brake pedal position switch (usually attached to the pedal assembly or behind the brake pedal assembly) which tells the shifter solenoid to activate when the pedal is depressed.

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.

Hi there,

Most modern automatic cars require the driver to depress the brake pedal first, to allow releasing the gear out of Park.

Some automatic transmissions also provide an 'overide' switch near the gear lever, to allow manual release of the gear lever.

If neither of the above resolve this, then you will need to check the operation of your brake switch, mounted on the brake pedal.

check the CV joints

There is a safety switch inside the gearshift assy. (below where you shift the gear handle) this safety switch locks the gearshifter in park until you press the brake pedal. pressing the brake pedal is supposed to release it. obviously it's not, so there's soda, coffee, or other substances making it sticky, or it could be just worn out. Take the cover plate off & look for this plastic piece attached to a cable(covered in black plastic) if it needs cleaning, use alot of warm water & a shop-vacuum. if cleaning doesn't help, then replace the cable (may be part of the shifter mechanism.)

you should hear a click from the solenoid when you apply the brakes. If your brake lights don't work, your shift lock release won't either. There is a bypass method for emergencies in your owner manual. Check fuse for brake lights. And switch on brake pedal

An SL1 has a single overhead camshaft, SOHC, engine. It has but one transmission. If it has a clutch pedal next to the brake pedal, it is a manual shift/transmission, if there is only a brake pedal, then it is an automatic transmission.

safety switch on brake pedal. common cause is a wire breaking off. there are 1 to 2 wires going to this switch. It is located on the brake pedal bracket above the foot pad.