Shift Mechanism
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Dodge Magnum, 2008 Dodge Charger, and 2008 Chrysler 300. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The automatic transmission is operated with the help of a shift lever assembly (SLA) (1) located in the floor console. There are six positions to which the selection lever can be shifted: P, R, N, D, 2, 1.
All selector lever positions are identified by the SLA and transmitted by a shift cable to the selector shaft in the transmission.
The SLA is comprised of the following functions:
- Key lock: Depending on the selector lever position, the ignition cylinder is locked/unlocked, i.e, the ignition key can be removed only if the selector lever is in position "P". An electronic micro switch in the shifter assembly is used to perform this function.
- Park lock: The selector lever is not released from position "P" until the brake pedal has been applied and the ignition key is in the ON" position. Shift lock is controlled by the ignition module in conjunction with a brake switch and a locking solenoid in the SLA. As soon as the brake pedal is applied firmly, the locking solenoid is energized and retracted to unlock the selector lever. If the selector lever cannot be moved out of position "P" due to a malfunction, the shift lock function can be overridden (2).