'01 Silverado Shift "interlock" sensor?

[09Z71]

my work truck is a '01 Silverado standard cab 4.8 automatic, and It's ticked over 246,000 miles and still kickin' but there is a concern with what could be a shift interlock issue. the interlock is a system that will not let the shifter out of park until the brake is applied. the other day i was talking to my neighbor before i was going to work. the truck was running and my 3 year old son climbed in. i know i should always supervise him but i didn't think much of it because of the Interlock. anyway he ended up pulling it into reverse and rolled over the garbage cans at the end of the drive. after being done freaking out and giving my son the "talk" , and he said that he "was pwaying and just put the tingy into the ledder R". after not believing him i went to try it myself, and he was right. you don't have to apply the brake to shift from park! there is a warning on the dash saying that "Apply the brake to shift from park." it is long off warranty and taking it to the dealer would cost me alot of $$ just for them to LOOK at it! does anybody else have this problem? it's been acting up, like not being able to shift out of park even with the brake on some mornings, but i think it might be a bad sensor, but I'm too cheap to replace it only to find it's not the sensor. it's not a huge issue, but it is a concern.

[unplugged]

I usually see more complaints about the vehicle not shifting out of park which can be something as simple as a blown brake light fuse, or a little more involved like replacing the stoplight switch or neutral safety switch.

I had one vehicle that I disabled the park interlock. I disassembled the lower dash and located the solenoid that engaged the lock ring and removed it. (Not recommended)

Apparently not all vehicles are equipped with a BTSI (brake transmission shift interlock).
See the msnbc article here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15622405/

Here is a picture of a typical GM unit:

[telliemj]

Hello, My name is Mark. I have a 1997 Chevy Silverado with a potentially similar problem. When it gets cold outside (around 20 deg and below) the shifter does not want to get out of park. I have to wait until the truck fully warms up and then some in order for it to allow me to get it out of park. You talked about the Park Interlock and the BTSI but you also said that not every one has the BTSI. Do you know what year, models, etc had this BTSI and how to check it if there is a check for it? Any other ideas of what could be causing this problem? Also I see the picture that you put up but how do I get to the BTSI? Where is it located in relation to the steering column and shift lever? Sorry for my ignorance!!