Transmission issues after engine swap

2005 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
230 MILES • 1.4L • AUTOMATIC
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GITTERDONE
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
After doing an engine swap from a 2005 to 2007 engine using the old wiring harness off the 2005 and the position sensors off of the 05 vehicle starts but no matter if it's in park reverse neutral drive it's still engages the transmission to go forward in the drive gear
Oct 3, 2026 at 6:26 AM
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KRAKENAUTO
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 87 POSTS
Check the transmission manual valve lever and shifter linkage.

Since you reused the 2005 wiring harness and sensors, the shift cable bracket or the manual control lever on the transmission may be misaligned, or the cable itself could have slipped out of adjustment during the swap.

Locate the shift cable linkage where it attaches to the manual valve lever on the side of the transmission. Loosen the cable adjustment clamp, ensure the gear selector inside the vehicle and the transmission lever are both positively set to Park, and re-secure the cable.

Have someone help you inside the vehicle and move the shifter through all positions while you look the lever on the transmission to ensure it physically goes through all the detent clicks and matches the inside indicator.
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Oct 3, 2026 at 12:09 PM
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