Can't shift into park.

Yesterday I bought a Freelander GS 2.5 2001. When I picked it up is was parked in park.

But when I stopped for petrol on the way home I shifted it into park. Filled up. When I got back to the car it wouldn't start. Took me a few minutes before I realised park wasn't engaged.

It shifts into all gears fine. But when you try to shift from reverse to park it just don't shift. I can sometime get the indicator light for reverse to turn off but park doesn't turn on.

Has anyone got any ideas?

Thanks

Did you buy from a dealer or a private seller? If a dealer take it back and get them to sort it

I got it of eBay. I phoned the previous owner to ask if there was a trick to doing it. He claimed never to have had the problem before.

Sounds like the cable is out of adjustment. Try starting it in N instead.
Do all the gear position lights indicate the correct gears?

All the lights are correct for all gears.

Funny thing. When I got in the car this morning. It shifted from N through reverse and into park no problem. After a short drive (45 mins). It was fine again.

I will try again tomorrow after my 1.5 hr drive to work.

Cable may need lubricating, so might the button and mechanism at base of lever, or something could have been dropped into gear shift gate, mint/ coin/ lego brick etc

you are pressing the foot pedal I presume