check the fuse for the brake lights. Mine blew out and as a result, the switch wouldn't engage.
1996 Outback 2.5L
>
> Problem: Car on, brake engaged, can't depress gear shift button to move > out of park.
>
> So far - took apart the center console to see the mechanism that stops the
> shifter from going down if the brakes aren't engaged, it's not moving out
> of the way even though the brakes are engaged.
>
> I can manually move it with my hands and get the car in gear, but I need a
> permanent solution.
>
> Possible cause? I've been having odd electrical problems - my battery is
> corroded and the ABS light comes on intermittenly, the fan for the heater
> sometimes stops, and the universal door lock doesn't always work. These
> problems are never permanent. Could this whole gear shift thing be
> related to the system thinking the brakes aren't working?
>
> Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
>