Sounds like the linkage is loose
Assuming that it is anautomatic And it's just the shifter that you want, at the bottom of the shifter by the steering column there is a pin. Take a punch and drive the pin out.
They don't use linkage, they use a cable. The cable goes between the shift lever mechanism to the transmission.
on an a manual transmission, just grip the shift lever.
bark lever
cable from shifter to transmission is broken.
It is inside the shifter assembly.It is inside the shifter assembly.
The shift level is locked by the shift solenoid. When you step on the brake, the brake switch sends power to the shift solenoid and it moves a lever to unlock the shifter. If either the switch or solenoid is bad, you can't shift out of park.
moving the shift lever from park to drive or any other position with the engine off will not hurt anything in the transmission. in an older automatic trans by moving the shifter from park to drive the shifter is mechanically atatched to a lever which is attached to a manual valve inside the transmission. since the engine is off there is no pressure in the transmission so nothing happens. on a newer auto trans the shifter is attached to a lever which moves electrical contacts to do the same thing as the old mechanical trans lever.
It is inside the shifter assembly.
check the brake pedal switch
Loose hold down clamp or broken shift cable.
you remove shifter knob, key on, slighty pull back on lever and lightly rap top of shift lever with soft faced mallet, this will disengage park but you nstill have a problem with shifter or possible brake light switch