1999 Grand Prix 3.8

I have a 1999 Grand prix GT. I can not remove key or put vechicle into park. I need to hit the over ride switch at the underneath area of steering colum and shift lock switch to have the key and floor shift operate. I noticed that the actual shift indicator lights also work so times and other times will not illuminate. When the vechicle is work the shift work.
I have taken apart the shifter and tested everthing there and it all works. Could it be the switch at the transmisson that the shaft of the for lack of better terms "shift rod" be bad? The switch is located at top of the transmisson and has several wires in a harness attached to it and the linkage for the shifting rod goes through it. Help my wife is kiiling me with her griping about have to use a gilf tee to over ride the two options. Thank you Eric