120,000 miles. Intermittent problem. Shifter will not move LEFT of 3rd and 4th Vertical line in neutral (so, no access to 1st or 2nd).

When acting up it matters not whether you are driving down the road or not. Will still be locked out of 1st and 2nd engine running or not when parked.

So far the recovery happens somewhere in a desperate attempt to make something happen using the gear shift and clutch while the vehicle is in motion.

 

OP here. The car ended up at a dealership. I was determined the problem was caused by road debris (gravel etc) interfering with the gear shift to transmission interconnecting apparatus.

Sounds like the point of entry into the transmission is on a ledge where road debris can collect. This vehicle is driven extensively on winter roads where a lot of sand and gravel is used. Also, we have a 1/2 mile of gravel to get to our home which is on a rural acreage.

 

OP here. Exact wording on Service Invoice:

"Removed air cleaner box and inspected shift levers. Found a lot of debris under shift lever causing shifter unable to shift left of center and into 1st and 2nd. Cleaned debris and reassembled vehicle."