Update!
I installed a friends borrowed T handle and now the shifter rachets properly.
If you hold his handle and shake it, the chrome button moves in and out pretty freely. boogie
Mine stays retracted no matter how hard you shake. It looks like that's what causing the failure. mad
'Nother part to find at the swaps...

While outside on the turnpike They got this new hit tune Where thrills become as cheap as gas And gas as cheap as thrills