Why won’t my transmission come out of park from seconds to several minutes?

What is your question?

This hapoens every time you start the car. There is a delay, variable in time, before the shifter unlocks so you can move the shifter out of park. Seems to be affected by ambient temperature. Is this a transmission sensor inhibiting the steering column shifter lock, or the shifter lock mechanism in the steering column itself?

What makes this problem better or worse?

Outside temperature. The colder it is the longer it takes for the shifter is released to come out of park.

How long has your 2007 Lincoln Town Car had this problem?

Several months