Steering Column Repair: 1990 Dodge Grand Caravan Gear Indicator Hookup, pin removal tool, dodge grand caravan

Question
QUESTION: I have a 1990 Dodge Grand Caravan whose gear indicator needle (the vertical orange/red indicator behind the glass in the instrument panel) is stuck all the way to the right.  When I removed the lower steering column cover, I saw the end of the little green cord that is supposed to be attached to the shift lever.  Its one end is loose and if I pull it by hand, I see the gear indicator needle move.

Do I have to remove the entire steering wheel with lock plate removal tool, etc. in order to get in there and reattach that cord?  My car does have a tilt wheel and I'm wondering if I also need a pivot pin removal tool for this repair.

ANSWER: Hi Ryan:
the problem is not in the column.  The problem is that the little green string wire broke and you need to either replace it (take out the cluster and needle assembly) or extend it with a length of 'something' so that you can reattach it to the column.  There should either be clip still attached to the lower bowl and it will move with the bowl when you shift, or there is a notch cut out of the column bowl for a string to fit through and be secured.
the only hard part here is finding a string that ties to the string-wire that is still there.  It doesn't knot easily but it can be done.

Good luck
Doug

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Doug.  Please let me know if this info changes your answer: The green string is not sheared or necessarily broken.  In fact, it has two little crimped brass metal pieces still attached to it (I assume for securing it to a clip or notch).  One crimped-on piece is at the very end, the other one is a few inches up the string.

If I do indeed need to reattach it to a clip in the lower bowl or a notch, do I need to pull the entire steering wheel and disassemble the steering column to get inside the lower bowl, or can I just tilt the wheel and look into it from the bottom?  thanks!

Answer
Good;
If the little copper clips are still on the string, then you can simply slip the string back into the notch on the shift bowl.
Once you take down the cover under the column, it will reveal the lower shift bowl in it's entirety.  Looking from the floor (without taking anything else apart), you will see a small slit in the shift bowl.  That's where the string goes and there may be a little clip to help you adjust it to hold in the correct position.
That's it!

You should be able to get it
D