My trans will go into park but the lock cylinder won't go into lock or back to acc. The button on the shifter won't "depress" either, so it's not hitting the dents for each gear. How do you fix this? How do you get the shifter button to come back up and have "spring" to it?

 

Could it have something to do with the neutral/backup switch?

 

The starter interlock cable is probably screwed up.

There is a cable that leads from your shifter to the column. This cable is there to stop the shifter from moving from PARK ---> unless the key is turned.

The cable mounts to the shifter assembly and if you remove the cable from the Shifter the shifter could/will move out of PARK at any time. ( AKA: when NO keys are in the ignition ! )

The other end of the cable mounts to the Ignition Box at the base of the steering column. The cable is run under the console and under the carpet to the column - it's easy to find. The cause of your problem is most likely this end of the cable. Either the cable itself is screwed up or the Ignition Box could be busted or improperly mounted. The Ignition Box & Cable mount to the Box is a PITA to mess with. There is a plastic clip that holds the cable in the Ignition box but it's not the easiest thing to access and free (or 'release') while on your back & laying on the floor.

 

I figured it was this cable. The car since I got it the key can be taken out at anytime and the car can be turned on without the key even being in.
This all started when I put a new shift **** on and it seems like it caused something to mess up on that end. The button will not even come back up. Could the steering end cause the shift **** button to stay depressed?

 

So I monkeyed around in the car and it does seem to be the ignition switch end. What do I do to figure out if it's the cable itself or the switch?
I can get it back to lock in park but then it's a pain to get it back into gear. Would this mean it's the switch that's screwed up?

 

Hum, just ordered a new switch hopefully that's it. Thinking back I think that something like this was why I replaced the ignition switch in my '95 T/A.