Chrysler Repair: car wont shift out of park, wont start, plymouth reliant, weather situation

Question
Have a 83 plymouth reliant that a couple days ago wouldn't shift out of park.  Checked transmission fluid with car running and could not get a read.  Showed nothing on the dipstick after wiping and reinserting twice. Today got transmission fluid and went to add, decided to start car first and check ATF level again, now car won't start.  It cranks and cranks but won't turn over.  Has gas, indicator moves up when I turn the key.  Previously it took a couple minutes cranking to start if cold, but started up fine if recently driven.  Why no shift, then no start?

Answer
Hi Bridgette,
I am not familiar with the early 80's Chrysler products, but I have a couple of suggestions based on reading a couple of manuals and my general knowledge. The only thing that normally keeps an automatic transmission from shifting out of park is that the car is parked on an incline such that the parking break pawl is under a lot of tension from the weight of the car pressing on it. You may have to get a friend to push (by hand or with another car by bumper) on your car, pushing against the direction it is tilted to momentarily remove the tension on the pawl which then should allow you at that moment to release the shift lever to move out of park.  
I would try to measure the transmission fluid when the car is on level ground and has been warmed for a few minutes to warm up the transmission fluid. Then compare the dipstick's "hot" full level mark with the actual level of fluid and add as necessary.
As to not starting, it sounds as though you may be in a fairly cool weather situation which makes it hard to start and also makes the battery less efficient at turning the engine over at a fast enough rate to get it to start. So I would suggest getting the battery charged, or buy a battery charger for doing it yourself, then with a charged battery on a warmer day or warmer part of the day give it another chance to start up.* There are other tests that would be appropriate if the car were not being put under cold weather stress and had not started up well recently, but lets not get into those "No Start" tests until we have another shot at it with a charged battery and reasonably warm conditions. Once you get it going, then check the transmission fluid, and drive it. If it still is hard to start, then a change (or cleaning)of the spark plugs may be all that is necessary. If you write back, tell me which engine you have (size (displacement)), particularly if it won't start.
Roland
*If you remove the battery always remove the negative cable first. And when reconnecting it, put the negative cable on last. This will avoid the possibility of the wrench you are using touching a metal surface when you are dealing with the positive pole while the negative pole is still attached (which causes a very dangerous short that could overheat the wrench and burn your hand.)