Diagnosis & Testing

Fig 1: KEY LOCK CABLE ADJUSTMENT AT SHIFTER

Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

1 - SHIFTER HOUSING TAB BROKEN

2 - ADJUSTER SET INCORRECTLY - SPRING COLLAPSED TOO FAR

3 - ADJUSTER NOT SET/SECURED

The Interlock Cable is attached to a lever within the Shifter that prevents the Shift Lever from moving out of "Park" without the key (theft prevention). The Interlock Cable adjustment is preset at the factory. When properly adjusted, the Interlock System prevents the key being removed from the Key Cylinder when the Shift Lever is in a position other then "Park".

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Key is trapped and cannot be removed from the ignition when the Shift Lever is in the "Park" position.	1. The Interlock Cable adjustment is not set correctly (spring collapsed too far).	1. Check the Interlock Cable Adjustment.
	2. The Interlock Cable is not secured properly at the shifter housing.	2. Be sure the Interlock Cable is properly secured at the shifter housing.
	3. Shifter housing tab is broken.	3. Replace shifter mechanism.
	4. Interlock Cable routing through the instrument panel area is causing increased friction within the Interlock Cable Housing (bind/kink in Interlock Cable).	4. Check the Interlock Cable Housing routing. The Interlock Cable has a clip that locates it to the Instrument Panel structure. The Interlock Cable must be free to move through this clip. The clip is located behind the panel.
Key can be removed no matter what position the Shift Lever is in.	1. The Interlock Cable adjustment is not set correctly.	1. Check the Interlock Cable adjustment.
	2. The Interlock Cable is not secured properly at the shifter housing.	2. Be sure the Interlock Cable is properly secured to the shifter housing.
	3. Shifter housing tab broken.	3. Replace shifter mechanism.
	4. Interlock Cable routing through the instrument panel area is causing increased friction within the Interlock Cable Housing (bind/kink in Interlock Cable).	4. Check the Interlock Cable Housing routing. The Interlock Cable has a clip that locates the Interlock Cable to the Instrument Panel structure. The Interlock Cable must be free to move through this clip. The clip is located behind the panel.
	5. Interlock cable not secured in Ignition Cylinder.	5. Secure Interlock cable in Ignition Cylinder.
Shift Lever will not move to the right so that it can be moved out of the "Park" position. See Fig 1	1. Brake lamp switch may be mis-adjusted.	1. Turn the ignition to the "On" or "Run" position. Brake lamps must be on for the shifter solenoid to receive a signal. If the brake lamps switch is mis-adjusted, the solenoid will not be energized. Replace Brake Lamp Switch.
	2. No Voltage to Brake lamp switch from 10 amp fuse #3 in TIPM	2. Repair circuit or fuse #3.
	3. Solenoid bushing to Park Lock Lever is out of position or has fallen out.	3. If the shifter build date is before 2/1/2006 (located on the label on the rear of the shifter housing) and the solenoid bushing can be located, reinstall the bushing on the solenoid shaft and use a soldering iron, melt the end of the solenoid shaft so that the bushing will not come off of the shaft. Verify the operation of the Park Lock Lever. If the solenoid bushing cannot be located or the shifter build date is after 2/1/2006, replace the shifter assembly.
	4. Solenoid is sluggish or hesitant. Low voltage to solenoid. The voltage with key on, engine off, should be at least 10.1 volts. There may be up to a 3 second delay before full voltage is received at the solenoid after the engine is started.	4a. Correct the low voltage condition. If the voltage is above 10.1 volts, replace the shifter assembly.
		4b. Sticky residue around solenoid plunger
	5. Park Lock Lever on the right side of the sifter is not moving when the brake pedal is depressed.	5. Check Park Lock Solenoid operation.
	6. Park Lock Lever is sluggish and scrapping against the inside of the Shifter Housing.	6. Replace the shifter assembly.
Shift Lever will move to the right but will not move down toward the "Reverse" position. See Fig 1 .	1. Key Interlock Lever within the shifter is not releasing when the key is turned to the "On" or "Run" positions.	1. Check Interlock Cable operation and cable adjustment.
	2. Interlock Cable is not routed properly.	2. Check Interlock Cable routing.
Shift Lever can be moved without turning the key on.	1. Interlock Cable Cartridge not properly installed into the Lock Housing.	1. Remove the steering column shroud and check for correct installation of the Interlock Cable Cartridge into the Lock Housing.
Shift Lever difficult to pull out of any gear.	1. Shift Cable not fully seated into the Transmission Bracket.	1. Check the Shift Cable installation at the transmission. Be sure both of the Shift Cable Housing locking tabs are fully engaged into the bracket.
Shift Lever difficult to pull out of any gear.	2. Shift Cable to Transmission Lever nut is loose.	2. Tighten the nut to 20 N.m (175 in. lbs.).