When I turn the ignition switch to start the vehicle I often cannot shift the stick shift out of Park. If I immediately try to switch gears after starting the engine it usually works but if I leave it more than a couple of seconds the gear shift jams and will not shift into any gear. Any ideas?

Does the vehicle start an run ?Can you turn the key to the off position ? And the key won't come out ? Did you try some key graphite ( lube ) ? New lock cylinder need maybe . Or is it a problem with
Steering Column Electric Park Lock
If the vehicle is equipped with a floor-mounted console gear shifter, an added safety feature is an steering column electric park lock system in the steering column. The steering column electric park lock system prevents the steering wheel from being locked when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle may be moving. The column ignition lock system consists of a steering column electric park lock and a park position switch, that is located in the A/T shift lock control switch. The steering column electric park lock contains a spring-loaded pin that mechanically prevents the ignition key cylinder from being turned to the Lock position when the transmission is not in the Park position. If vehicle power is lost or the transmission is not in the Park position, the operator will not be able to turn the ignition key to the Lock position and will not be able to remove the ignition key from the column.

Is it shifter on the floor ?
Ignition Lock Cylinder Control Actuator
If the vehicle is equipped with a floor mounted console gear shifter, it has a ignition lock cylinder control actuator system in the steering column. The ignition lock cylinder control actuator's purpose is to prevent the ignition key from being turned to the OFF position when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle may still be moving. The column ignition lock system consists of a ignition lock cylinder control actuator , and a park position switch that is located in the A/T shift lock control switch. The ignition lock cylinder control actuator contains a pin that is spring loaded out to mechanically prevent the ignition key cylinder from being turned to the lock position when vehicle transmission is not in the Park position. If vehicle power is lost, and/or the transmission is not in the Park position the operator will not be able to turn the ignition key to the lock position and will not be able to remove the ignition key from the column.

GM had problems with these ! Has a TSB - technical service bulletin !
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Description and Operation
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 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 remove voltage from the shift lock solenoid:
- The ignition is in the ON position.
- The engine control module (ECM) sends an input via GMLAN serial data to the BCM indicating the transmission is in the PARK position.
- The BCM determines the brake pedal is applied according the brake pedal position.
Since the shift lock control solenoid is permanently grounded, the BCM supplies voltage to the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid, mechanically locking the shift lever in the PARK position as the solenoid energizes. When the brake pedal is applied, the BCM turns the control voltage output of the shift lock control solenoid OFF, de-energizing the shift lock control solenoid. The de-energized solenoid releases the mechanical lock allowing the driver to move the shift lever out of the PARK position. When the transmission is out of the PARK position, the shift lock control solenoid remains de-energized.
During remote start operation, the BCM will energize the shift lock control circuit, locking the shift lever in the PARK position.
Replaced shifter on a cobalt , broken plastic part inside , wouldn't press on micro switch to disengage ! Found replacement shifter at auto slavage yard .$20.00 US

What make vehicle ? Most all vehicles have a safety system .Don't try an force anything you'll break it !
Electronic Park Lock (EPL)/Ignition Lock Cylinder Control Actuator: If the vehicle is equipped with automatic transmission and a floor mounted console gear shift, it has an ignition lock cylinder control actuator system in the steering column. The ignition lock cylinder control actuator purpose is to prevent the ignition key from being turned to the OFF position when the transmission is in any position other than PARK and the vehicle may still be moving. The column ignition lock system consists of an ignition lock cylinder control actuator, and a park position switch that is located in the automatic transmission shift lock control switch. The ignition lock cylinder control actuator contains a pin that is spring loaded to mechanically prevent the ignition key cylinder from being turned to the lock position when the vehicle transmission is not in the PARK position. If vehicle power is lost, and/or the transmission is not in the PARK position the operator will not be able to turn the ignition key to the lock position and will not be able to remove the ignition key from the column. They also have this on column mounted shifters !

Most if not all vehicles have a Electronic Park Lock (EPL)/Ignition Lock Cylinder Control Actuator: If the vehicle is equipped with automatic transmission and a floor mounted console gear shift, it has an ignition lock cylinder control actuator system in the steering column. The ignition lock cylinder control actuator purpose is to prevent the ignition key from being turned to the OFF position when the transmission is in any position other than PARK and the vehicle may still be moving. The column ignition lock system consists of an ignition lock cylinder control actuator, and a park position switch that is located in the automatic transmission shift lock control switch. The ignition lock cylinder control actuator contains a pin that is spring loaded to mechanically prevent the ignition key cylinder from being turned to the lock position when the vehicle transmission is not in the PARK position. If vehicle power is lost, and/or the transmission is not in the PARK position the operator will not be able to turn the ignition key to the lock position and will not be able to remove the ignition key from the column. Or it has
Linear Shift Assembly: If the vehicle is equipped with a column mounted gear shift, it has a linear shift assembly on the steering column. The linear shift assembly has a cable that runs from the linear shift assembly to the ignition lock cylinder case. The purpose of this cable is to prevent the ignition key from being turned to the OFF position when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle may still be moving. The linear shift assembly cable contains a pin that is spring loaded to mechanically prevent the ignition key cylinder from being turned to the lock position when the vehicle transmission is not in the PARK position. If vehicle power is lost, and/or the transmission is not in the PARK position the operator will not be able to turn the ignition key to the lock position and will not be able to remove the ignition key from the column.
Your best bet is to take it to a ASE certified repair shop or the dealer ! The fix involves taking the steering column apart an or the floor shifter assembly ! Also electrical test to determine what is the problem !
Your

Do you have column or floor shifter ?
All automatic transaxle models use an electric park lock system. Within the housing assembly, a lock cylinder is connected to an actuator which rotates and engages on the electric park lock solenoid. When the floor-shift lever is not in the park position, the actuator disengages from the electric park lock solenoid slider. This allows the lock cylinder to move to the lock position. With the shift lever in PARK and the lock cylinder in LOCK, the actuator cam is positioned against the electric park lock solenoid slider. This prevents the shift lever from shifting out of the PARK position.
The column-shift automatic transaxle model uses a flexible cable actuator instead of an electric park lock system. One end of the cable is attached to the gate assembly. The other end of the cable is attached to the column mounted housing assembly. This system functions similarly to the floor-shift ignition lock system.
The manual transaxle model uses a push button lock cylinder. A clutch start switch is used. The clutch pedal must be pressed before the engine will crank. Refer to Park Lock System Check .
CAN you turn the key on ?
The gear selector does not shift out of PARK with the brake pedal depressed and the ignition switch in RUN.
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Always On with Ignition in Run
Action
Value(s)
Yes
No

1

Was the BTSI System Check performed?
--
Go to Step 2
Go to Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control System Check

2

Is this a column shift vehicle?
--
Go to Step 3 yes
Go to Step 4 no

3

1. Move the gear selector to the PARK position.
2. Disconnect the automatic transaxle control connector
3. Turn the ignition switch to RUN.
4. Connect the test lamp between terminal B and ground.

Does the test lamp light?
--
Go to Step 4
Go to Step 8

4

1. Disconnect the brake switch connector C2.
2. Move the ignition switch to RUN.

Can you shift the transaxle out of the PARK position?
--
Go to Step 5
Go to Step 8

5

Is the brake switch adjusted properly?
--
Go to Step 6
Go to Step 7

6

Replace the brake switch.
Is the repair complete?
--
System OK
--

7

Adjust the brake switch.
Is the repair complete?
--
System OK
--

8

1. Disconnect the BTSI solenoid connector (column shift vehicles) or disconnect the automatic transaxle control connector (console shift vehicles).
2. Move the ignition switch to RUN.

Can you shift the transaxle out of the PARK position?
--
Go to Step 9
Go to Step 10

9

Repair the short to power in CKT 1135.
Is the repair complete?
--
System OK
--

10

Test for sticking or binding in the shift linkage.
Does the shift linkage stick or bind?
--
Go to Step 11
Go to Step 12

11

Repair the shift linkage.
Is the repair complete?
--
System OK
--

12

Replace the BTSI solenoid (column shift vehicles) or replace the automatic transaxle control (console shift vehicles).
Is the repair complete?
--
System OK
Go to Step 1

ok the safety feature on an auto gearbox is that the gear select has a solinoid lock on the shift & you norm have to start engine first before you can select drive now if the engine is running & not allowing you to select a drive then for some reason the solinoid is losing its signal or going faulty or even the shaft needing a little lube IE: wd40 now my volvo won't even allow me to take the key out untill its in park hope this helps

Fixing stuck key in your gmc envoy same as a blazer !
Ignition Lock Cylinder Control Actuator
If the vehicle is equipped with a floor mounted console gear shifter, it has a ignition lock cylinder control actuator system in the steering column as an added safety feature. The ignition lock cylinder control actuators purpose is to prevent the steering wheel from being locked when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle may still be moving. The column ignition lock system consists of a ignition lock cylinder control acutator, and a park position switch that is located in the A/T shift lock control switch. The ignition lock cylinder control acutator contains a pin that is spring loaded out to mechanically prevent the ignition key cylinder from being turned to the lock position when vehicle transmission is not in the Park position. If vehicle power is lost, and/or the transmission is not in the Park position the operator will not be able to turn the ignition key to the lock position and will not be able to remove the ignition key from the column.

Sounds like your brake lockout switch is bad. The brake lockout switch on many vehicles is used to prevent accidentally shifting the trans into gear. The fact that you can shift with the key in the ACC position is a dead giveaway. Good luck.

There is a small cable attached to the shift lever that runs up to the ignition switch on the steering column. If it gets stuck, your shift lever won't move out of park and your key can get stuck and you won't be able to pull it out.

Drop the steering column down and detach the cable to free up your shifter and/or key. Make sure to replace it as soon as possible as it is a safety feature.

Ignition Lock Cylinder Control Actuator
If the vehicle is equipped with a floor mounted console gear shifter, it has a ignition lock cylinder control actuator system in the steering column as an added safety feature. The ignition lock cylinder control actuators purpose is to prevent the steering wheel from being locked when the transmission is in gear and the vehicle may still be moving. The column ignition lock system consists of a ignition lock cylinder control acutator, and a park position switch that is located in the A/T shift lock control switch. The ignition lock cylinder control acutator contains a pin that is spring loaded out to mechanically prevent the ignition key cylinder from being turned to the lock position when vehicle transmission is not in the Park position. If vehicle power is lost, and/or the transmission is not in the Park position the operator will not be able to turn the ignition key to the lock position and will not be able to remove the ignition key from the column.