Chrysler Repair: car wont start until shift lever is moved, grand caravan, shift lever

Question
my 1999 grand caravan will sometimes start only if i wiggle the shift lever or change from park to other gears and then back to park. what might the cause be and how can it be corrected?

Answer
Hi John,
The safety interlock that prevents the operation of the starter in any gear setting but Park or Neutral is not in the "closed" position as it should be. Most likely all you need to do is go to the cable/ vetical shift lever connection at the side of the transmission and slightly alter the adjustment (so as to lengthen or shorten the connection) by loosening the screw that allows for the moving of the cable's housing (sheath) back or forth. You can tell which way to move the housing by testing for "action": instead of moving to other gears, etc. just try moving the lever slightly "off-center" from the usual Park detent position to see which way causes the starter to then work. Have a helper then repeat that off-center position while you observe and then loosen the screw, make the adjustment so the the shift lever at the transmission is in the 'closed' postion when the gear lever in the cabin is now in the detent 'center' location and then re-tighten the screw.
Roland
PS Sorry to the delay in responding. Your question was just referred to the 'pool' where I found it. Use the 'thank/rate' tab below to get back to me it you have further questions. That way you won't have to wait for me to be 'available' to take a question.