Focus RS Shifting Update

 Thanks to FocusRS subreddit I figured out why the RS wasn't shifting properly.  Several people suggested that it sounded like the linkage was getting blocked by something.  Several more specifically said they've had squirrels shove a walnut in the area of the shifting linkage.  So I popped the hood and here's what I found....

Yup, a damn squirrel walnut.  This seems to show a couple things.  One is that the dealership looking at the issue seemed to have not even looked.  It took me about 1 minute to find this.  I literally only had to remove the air box.  And two ALWAYS check reddit before spending money with a mechanic.

The other issue with the parking brake did have to be fixed.  The rear brake seemed to have locked up.  Probably just from sitting so much.  I've been working remotely for over two years so I just don't drive much anymore.

So the RS is back on the road and I'm now getting the GT500 ready for winter.  So sad, I think I drove it once.  I've got about $16,000 left on the loan then after I'm going to seriously consider selling it.  I never drive it and if it's gone I can move the RS into the garage space to hide it from those damn squirrels.