Chrysler Repair: 1991 Dodge Dynasty shift cable, wheel drive cars, front wheel drive cars

Question
Help,
   I have a 1991 Dodge Dynasty automatic transmission and the shifter is broke.  I am not sure if the cable has snapped or a connector or linkage part failed.  The cable on the transmission is fine but does not move by moving the shift lever on the colmun if I move it manually it will shift but the lever does not.  
  Do you think the cable or connector on the steering colmun side is broke?  I suppose I will need to drop the steering colmun to see that, am I correct?  

Answer
Hi CJ,
I am limited to an '89 factory shop manual that has a section on the steering column. It shows the shift lever and a cable rod that is inserted in a grommet in the lever. You can pry the rod out of the grommet and the rod is attached to (or part of) the shift cable. It is not clear to me whether that will allow you to remove and replace the old cable, or if more disassembly is needed. You are instructed to get a new grommet with back up washer using a pliers and installing from the rod side of the shift lever before reinstalling the cable end rod. I will be receiving a copy of the '91 shop manual shortly (just purchased from eBay seller) which may be more up-to-date but it appears that the column is not redesigned very often.  I would be pleased to xerox the pages that describe the column and mail them to you, either the '89 now or the '91 when it comes. I wonder whether the Haynes manual for the full sized front wheel drive cars of that era might also have the procedure for renewing the cable? The one about the '94-97 LH etc. models has a good description of that process but it probably doesn't apply to your '91 Dynasty. I suspect you can't wait around for me to receive the '91 manual, so send me a mailing address and I'll send you what I have from the '89. I haven't worked on a column shift from the C-body car (Dynasty, New Yorker) as my '89 J-body Chrysler LeBaron is a floor shift model.
Roland