Linkage is probably sticking or seized
The instructions on how to bypass the lockout is contained in your owner's manual. If my memory serves me, there is a little removable plastic plug near the shift lever. remove this and you should see some kind of socket or switch that can be depressed, or moved, that will allow the shift lever to be moved.
I don't know about the Focus specifically, but I've had this happen on other cars before. There is a little switch that is activated when the Hand Brake lever is moved anywhere other than the "home' position. Sometimes the lever is now put all the way "home" and sometimes the switch becomes loose so that it is not activated when the lever is moved 'home"......or, of course it could be a faulty switch or a broken wire connection, but probably the switch-lever relationship. HTH, Chuck, CABGx3
Two different switches, two locations. 1. The Neutral Safety Switch prevents the shift leaver from been moved out of park unless the ignition is on and the break peddle is applied. On 1991 it is located inside the plastic counsel below the shift handle. Failure of this switch may cause your vehicle not to start. 2. Not to be confused with the above is the Neutral/Reverse switch. One of its functions are to activate the reverse lights. It is located at the end of the shift cable on the transmission (1991 AUTO) facing the rad. MC
effort
yes
The shift lock button is used when the battery has discharged or the ignition isn't turned on, once the button is pressed it allows the gear lever to be moved from P (parking) to N (neutral).
Up your bum.
The lever itself is any rigid item, it should be long, rigid and strong. To work it needs a Fulcrum. A rock or similar thing will do. You take your Lever, place it under the object to be moved, place the lever over the Fulcrum, then push the lever to move your object.
Lever, simple machine machine, arrangement of moving and stationary mechanical parts used to perform some useful work or to provide transportation. From a historical perspective, many of the first machines were the result of human efforts to improve war-making capabilities; the term consisting of a bar supported at some stationary point along its length and used to overcome resistance at a second point by application of force at a third point. The stationary point of a lever is known as its fulcrum. The term lever is also applied to a projecting piece that is moved to operate or adjust inner machinery, such as a lever moved to the right or left to switch electric current on or off or to adjust the size of the opening of a shutter in a camera.
A real switchblade knife uses a spring loaded blade hidden inside the hollow handle and a release lever. When the release lever (i.e. switch) is flipped the spring rapidly forces the blade from the hollow handle into position for use and the blade latches on a catch that is part of the release lever. To put the blade back in the hollow handle the release lever is moved to unlatch the catch and the tip of the blade is pressed against a hard surface to compress the spring again. The image shows one of these switchblade knives with the release lever clearly visible.
The brake light fuse could be open,in that case you may have a short some where. The brake light switch or wiring could be defective. Some times when an autostart is wired in to the brake light switch the wire is weakened and breaks. The brake light switch operates a small solenoid which disengages a latch to allow the shift lever to be moved. Hope this helps
'Mechanical Advantage' of a 3rd class lever is always less than 1. Force on the resistance is less than the effort force. Distance moved by the load is greater than distance moved by the effort. Eg: fishing pole.