It is the shifter assembly its self (very common on the 95-96 ones I've had). I've found the best thing to do is remove the heat shield under the car. Disconnect the cable. Drill a very small hole in the housing for the shifter assembly(just the size of the lubricant hose)and squirt the hell out of it through the hole with some WD-40 or PB blaster. Go in the car and work the lever back and forth a few times then repeat the squirting. When it's nice a free clean around the hole really well with some brake cleaner or alcohol and put a dab of silicone over the hole(not in it) to close it up. Works like a charm!!
