Chrysler Repair: gear sift stuck in Park, shift rod, vertical shift

Question
I have a 2000 Neon, it will start but I can't move the gear shift, it is stuck in park, it will not move. Try rocking the car, nothing. Mary

Answer
Hi Mary,
My approach would be to go to engine compartment and find the vertical transmission shift rod (the part that is attached to the lever in the cabin by a cable; if a helper jiggles the shifter you will no doubt see where this attachment point is) and disconnect the shift cable at that point. Then try moving the lever in the cabin and also the lever on the transmission rod by hand to see which part is stuck and perhaps re-route the cable or lubricate the cable and its housing, and lubricate the base of the shift rod of the transmission, and also have a helper rock the car and hold it at both extremes of the present park position while you try to rotate the vertical shift rod to see if you can get it out of park. If that doesn't work then the bottom pan of the trans will have to be dropped and the park pawl relieved from the lock up position.
Roland