What are these wires for on my '04's shift lever?

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I've been fighting a replacement shifter knob and lever for weeks now, unable to get it down the rod it sits on and past the clip that locks it in. I finally got the shifter in place and working, but the thing that was stopping it from going into place were the two copper wires that run down the plastic shaft of the knob and I'm assuming are supposed to slide into the two holes that are located at the bottom of the rod that the lever rides on. The original knob's wires were about 1/8" shorter than the replacement knob I bought on ebay. It's used, but in good condition. When I tried to push the knob down, it would stop before the locking clip was engaged. The wires apparently stopping it. I removed the black plastic sleeve/cover that slides up and covers the wires and pushed down and it clicked. I took it back off to put the cover tube on it, and it wouldn't go down. What is happening is the wires won't slide into their holes, and they push the wires up and force them out of their tracks, which can't happen if the sleeve is on it. So, it works and shifts, but, no matter how I maneuver the wires, they won't go in the holes. What are the two wires for, anyway? Are they necessary? BTW, I tried the old, broken one (the keeper clip broke off so it won't lock on), and it still works fine, but I think it's just because the wires are so short that they're not making contact, or the holes are too shallow for the 'new' knob. Anybody had this problem or know what's going on here? I'll post a few pics to show what i'm talking about as soon as I figure out this forum's method. Thanks for any suggestions or comments. Lee