Car will not turn all the way off when in park

TY C. LAWS

MEMBER
2000 DODGE INTREPID
3.2L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
155,890 MILES

I recently had my shifter assembly replaced. I took it into the shop while it was in neutral and it would turn all the way off and on. The shop had to replace a shifter cable and they installed the shifter assembly I bought just fine but now my car does not turn all the way off. My key will not turn past accessories to completely off and I can take the key out while the shifter is in any position. I do not know what to do because I just payed $600.00 at the shop that messed it up and they said they could not figure it out.

4 Replies

TY C. LAWS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Update: They forgot to put a clip on the shift interlock cable. I think that may be the issue, but I have no idea how to adjust it.

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Monday, July 16th, 2018 AT 4:27 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,643 POSTS

Here are the instructions on how to adjust the shift interlock cable.

Ensure manual control lever on transaxle is rotated fully rearward to Park, and parking sprag is fully engaged. Manual control lever is lever on transaxle on which gearshift cable is installed.

Verify transaxle is in Park and parking sprag is fully engaged by slightly moving vehicle backward and forward. Tilt steering column to fully downward position. Place gear selector in Park. Ensure ignition key is removed from ignition switch.

Adjust gearshift cable by rotating gearshift cable adjuster lock into locked position. Reinstall upper steering column cover. Ensure gear selector operates smoothly without binding, and engine starts only with gear selector in Park or Neutral. If engine starts with gear selector in any other gear range except Park and Neutral, or binding exists, readjust gearshift cable.

On floor shift applications, apply parking brake. Place gear selector in Neutral. Loosen set screw and remove gear selector knob. Remove ashtray located on center console bezel, below radio. Center console bezel fits around gear selector and on top of center console.
Remove center console bezel-to-center console screw located just below ashtray area on center console bezel. Disengage clips holding each rear corner of center console bezel on center console. Remove center console bezel.

CAUTION: Parking sprag must be fully engaged before adjusting gearshift cable.
Loosen gearshift cable adjuster nut at gearshift cable adjuster. See Fig 2. Ensure manual control lever on transaxle is rotated fully rearward to Park, and parking sprag is fully engaged. Manual control lever is lever on transaxle on which gearshift cable is installed.
Verify transaxle is in Park and parking sprag is fully engaged by slightly moving vehicle backward and forward. Place gear selector in Park. Ensure ignition key is removed from ignition. Tighten gearshift cable adjuster nut to 19 ft. Lbs. (26 N.M).

Reinstall center console bezel and gear selector knob. Ensure gear selector operates smoothly without binding, and engine starts only with gear selector in Park or Neutral. If engine starts with gear selector in any other gear range except Park and Neutral, or binding exists, readjust gearshift cable.

Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken

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