Today I fixed it for good. The pink and yellow wires going to the Automatic Transmission Controller on the floor shifter are what control the solenoid for the lock cylinder. By shorting the two wires together I got it to release every time. I spliced a couple of wires onto those two wires (pink and yellow) and ran them over to a rocker switch I mounted on the side of the floor console. Now when the lock cylinder won't turn back to the lock position I just flip the switch and it releases.

Problem solved.

 

Innovative way to "fix" it lol.

 

It was cheaper, easier, and quicker than replacing the entire shift mechanism. The microswitch is part of the automatic transmission controller and the controller is riveted to the mechanism. Rather than spend $400 on a new one or picking the boneyard for a floor-shift model I took the easy way out.

 

Good info for others to use. WTG!

 

I hope that someone in the future will be able to use my information and save themselves some time, hassle, and money.