How do you fix the gear shift engage button on a 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue?

Answer 1

This is difficult to cover in such a forum. There's lots of options and possible things that could be wrong. I'd look at getting a shifter out of a junkyard to do a complete swap out. This is pretty major surgery and should not be attempted unless you are mechanically inclined. The button on the shifter handle is hard to disassemble (I have done shifters on other cars, not Intrigues), and often isn't the real culprit in the shifting problem anyway. A few "easy" things to try: Is the button stuck "in"? Try WD-40 and some tapping around the handle with a rubber mallet to unstick. Is the button not pushing in? Try WD-40 and tapping or pushing it in. Try jiggling the handle while pushing the button. Often the mechanical shift template inside the shifter becomes burred or nicked and can hang up. Things to check (based upon a 1998 Intrigue):

1 - Brake lights also not working? If not, then the problem is likely the brake light switch is bad. The brake light switch also dis-engages the shift-lock solenoid which prevents anyone from shifting the car without the brake being applied.

2 - Remove the shifter knob and test its functioning. You do this by removing the pin at the base of the knob where it faces the dash. Use a small screwdriver, and pry from the gap in the center of the pin (pin looks like a big staple).
With the pin out, twist the shifter knob slightly back and frth while pulling it straight up and off.
With the knob off, test the pushing of the button. If it is working easily, then this is not the issue. If it is STILL working hard, this is your issue, and you should lubricate the mechanism with WD-40 from the outside gaps of the button itself, then use 3-in-1 oil or similar lubricant on the internals where you see them from inside the bottom of the knob. On the shifter arm itself, lubricate the activation rod that goes down the rod, and the linkage within the console.

3 - Remove the console top, shift indicator module, and test the linkage/shift-lock solenoid. THIS ASSUMES THE KNOB IS ALREADY REMOVED (see above)
STEP 1: Remove the console top
Open the console arm-rest and remove the two bolts near the latch.
Lift the console from the now un-bolted end and carefully pry up from opposite end (there are 4-6 tensioning-pins holding the remainder of console top.
BE CAREFUL - you have a plug in the console top for the traction control.
Lift up the console top and adjust it out of the way.
STEP 2: Remove the shifter position indicator module
Remove the shift indicator by removing the four bolts and lifting the indicator. Twist the console light bulb out of the indicator module.
STEP 3: Remove the shift-lock mechanism (black device w/wires attached)
Do NOT remove the wires from the shift-lock solenoid (black electronic device to left of shift mechanism). Instead, just carefully pry both of the white plastic ends off of where it connects the shift linkage. You can now pick it up and test it. With the key on, and your foot OFF the brake, and the moveable shaft all the way INTO the solenoid, you should NOT be able to slide the shaft out (locked). Now, PRESSSING THE BRAKE PEDAL with the key ON, the solenoid should RELEASE the shaft and allow it to slide OUT of the solenoid. IF NOT, then your solenoid is damaged and should be replaced.
STEP 4: Testing the shift linkage
With the solenoid out from step above, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, replace the shift knob and pin, and test shifting the car. You can visibly examine the operation for any hang-ups, burrs, dents, etc and assess damage. If it is working fine, then your problem is in the cables or the transmission itself. Otherwise, you can file, straighten, lubricate or replace as needed in the shifting linkage and mechanism. Good Luck!