Chrysler Repair: 0 1 Dodge ram van recall:ignition key safety interlock, dodge ram van, highway traffic safety

Question
We took our van in for the recall of the Lever and linkage column shift.  We don't drive the van that often. Well now when we put the key in the ignition it will not start because of a lock. Our friend showed us how to push in that lock on the right side of column so we can get it started.  Do u believe they installed the recall incorrectly?

Answer
Hi Tracey,
I checked into the recall at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (www.NHTSA.gov) and find that it involved installation of a part which has the purpose of preventing the removal of the ignition key from the ingnition lock cylinder unless the gear shift is in the Park position. Nothing related to a lock button on the right side of the column appears to be involved in the recall remediation effort. I assume that the lock button shown by your friend is there for the purpose that he identified. If you have an owner's manual you should be able to verify the lock button as being present when the van was first manufactured or that it wasn't.
If you now can start the van by using that button, and you cannot remove the key unless it is in Park, then I would believe that the recall action was done correctly.
Roland
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