Esteem shifter sticks in Park?

[HealthyEsteem]

Hello,

I have a 2001 Suzuki Esteem GL Wagon.

Recently, the shifter doesn't want to come out of park when I first start up. After starting, I have to mess with it for maybe 5 minutes or longer, then for some unknown reason it frees itself and I can shift. It shifts fine until I park, then return to the car and I have to wait another 5 minutes.

Since it frees itself after approx. 5 minutes, I'm thinking maybe it is temperature related?

I have checked the transmission fluid level and it seems fine.

One other anecdote: This started to happen around the time I spilled a partially filled bottle of wine on the shifter control; just coincidence?

Any help would be appreciated,

Randall

[PKariher]

Take a look at the brake pedal switch. See if your brake lights are coming on. If the car does not think that your foot is on the brake pedal it will not let the transmission out of park.

I doubt the wine is the problem, but could be.

[MysticX]

FYI, there is a cover on the side of the shifter that lets you access an override. It will let you start the car from neutral, which may be useful if the problem doesn't correct itself. Check the manual and it should tell you more.

[TTGOTH]

Drive by wire, I would check the linkage to see if it's sticking. If not remove the cover on the side of the console to shift it.