Pontiac Repair: 1997 Pontiac Grand AM SE, wont go into gear, pontiac grand am, abs light

Question
I have a 1997 Pontiac Grand AM SE, today when I started it, I tried to put it into gear, but the shifter wouldn't move.  I applied the brake like you are supposed too, but it still wouldn't go into gear.  It is an automatic.  So my husband went inside the console, where the shifter is, and released the little white clip in there, and got the gear to move to Drive.  This is the only way we can get it to work.  We also noticed that the Brake light on the dash, and the ABS light on the dash, and the check engine light on the dash are on.  We still have to release the white clip to move the gear shift to get the car into gear.  It starts fine, and once you move the clip it seems to run fine also, do you have any suggestions?  

Answer
Sounds like your BTSI (brake transmission shift interlock) solenoid isn't working. Moving the white clip manually overrides the solenoid. Interesting thing is the ABS, brake, and check engine lights. Are your brake lights working? If not you may have a failed brake switch, assuming that all the fuses are ok. A bad BTSI solenoid itself won't set off the warning lights but a brake switch will. Do the lights stay on after you shift out of park? I'm betting they do. Check to see if your brake lights are working and check all the fuses. Let me know the results.