Thanks Jim, That's fascinating! They think w/o this design feature people would walk around carrying a used shifter so they can pop the old one out and put the new one in and just driving away? LOL, ;-) Please don't think I doubt you at all, it just sounds like something bureaucrats would come up with... Probably the same ones who came up with the biodegradable I had to repair on my '91 300.

I'm sure they had good intentions, it just bothers me when I am "protected" so much it makes things harder for me to repair. I suspect it's a Dealer Only part. I wonder if there's any NOS around? (Say, anyone need a nice car for VERY short distances where 2nd gear is all you need?) I'll make you a deal! ;-)

I still need to have the codes pulled but I look at this as a worse case. I still plan to find the short that is draining the battery, maybe it will be something bizarre?

Just talked to the dealer and the price for a new shifter is $753! Labor is probably that much again so the total is likely between $1k and $1.5k. Hmm.. I wonder how much a used tranny would be, if that would fix it. Looks like I have an gorgeous, expensive paperweight!

I think I'd be better off it it were stolen - at least my insurance would help a bit...
Thanks again Jim, I appreciating you explaining it to me!