QuestionQUESTION: We have a 1992 Chrysler New Yorker that runs great. The wife was driving home from work and stopped to park. Car would not shift into park, she had to turn car off in 2nd gear.
Then the car would not start and the column shifter would not shift from out of 2nd gear. Thus the key would not come out unless the shifter was back in park or neutral.
We had the car towed, but as I was trying to jiggle the shifter to see if I could get it into park or neutral, I have broke the shifter. How do I fix the column shifter and why did the car not shift into park/neautral?
Thanks for the help.
ANSWER: Hi Bryan,
The problem was internal to the steering column interlock between the key cylinder and the shifter, and the issue of the broken shifter will depend upon whether the break is in the mechanism of the shifter or the cable that connects the the shifter to the transmission. Unfortunately, my supply of manuals is not complete as regards a '92 model (I only have the '89 and '94 model year for that part of the car).
I believe that you should be able to get repair parts at a dealer or from a wrecking yard pull-it-yourself place. I wish I could be specific for your particular car but I am uncertain whether the pages I have will apply. You might check at your local library to see if they would have a repair manual that is closer to that year.
I would be pleased to copy and postal mail the pages from my two manuals and then you could see if either are applicable. It costs me 10 cents per side plus postage to do that and you could reimburse me after you get the pages with postage stamps or cash. Use the "thank and rate" tab if you want me to copy no more than 16 pages which with postage would run about $ 2.20 (five 41 cent stamps reimbursement). There is a space for comments where you could list your postal mailing address. I hope you can repair this yourself and keep that good car running!
Roland
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QUESTION: Roland, thanks for the great answer!
My chilton's manual doesn't really show much on this issue, bummer. At any rate, I am wondering if you know why the shifter lock up in the first place?
AnswerHi Bryan,
Thanks for the kind rating. I would believe that it is purely mechanical, right inside the steering column, because of the interlocks between the steering wheel, ignition lock cylinder, and shifter position that is related to safety/anti-theft safeguards. It wouldn't have to do with the transmission because that connection between the shift rod on the transmission and the shift lever at the column is via a cable which would not cause a hard lock-up situation due to its flexible characteristics. I suspect that if you remove the upper and lower steering housing covers that you may be able to see what has happened to the mechanism. The screws are torx head (# 15 and 20 size) and are on the underside of the column according to my Haynes manual. Tilt lever simply unscrews for removal.
Roland
