With just the ignition turned all the way ON so only the idiot lights show but no motor running, tap your brake pedal---you should hear the locking solenoid releasing in the shifter. If not, your pedal switch is either out of adjustment or is SHOT! The button is a "manual" release, I would think it would work regardless of ignition! Something sounds a little wacky!Your ignition switch could be getting flaky as well.