Yesterday, I got in my Charger to leave somewhere & the shifter would not come out of park - I was away from home & HAD to get going. I kept messing with it & it would not shift. Finally I realized it was either put the force on it to shift or break, or call a wrecker. So I reefed on it & forced it to move down - it broke free & I figgered I broke it, but it worked. Since this whenever I move the shifter out of park, it reluctantly moves.

Anybody else experience this & do you know what the problem/solution is? NEVER had any shifter issues before this. Thanks.

Think I just found the culprit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_QMSBpYThI

Good info. I have a spare on hand just in case for the 06 Daytona.

You know there is an access hole to release the shifter lock with a pen. No need to force and break it.

If you push the pink clip in on the side it should release the shifter out of park.

Its the dreaded "pink thingy" park lock out mechanism problem, Replace it with one of these http://www.custombilletstore.com/product_p/1028.htm and you'll never have the problem again,D

For the halibut, today I called my local Dodge dealer & explained the incident to them & asked if there was a recall or a TSB on this. The service guy I spoke with (my regular contact person) said this is a real RARE thing. He said there is a recall for a lockout spring, but not the pink part we are talking about. He said the shifter assembly is serviced as an ASSEMBLY, & was not familiar with replacing the pink part. (You've got to be kidding me!) Anyway, I said I'd get back with him on this.................

I'm thinking I should get the billet aluminum part & do this myself.

He's right. It is replaced as an assembly. It's around $80, so it's not terribly exspensive. It happens often enough that most dealers probably keep the shifters in stock.

Very common issue. It is indeed the pink thingy that the lock solenoid cable hooks onto that breaks. It happened to my '06 SRT8. Popping off the plastic chrome trim piece that is around the shifter exposes the cable so that you you can release it with a screwdriver or even ballpoint pen. That is what I did. Then I got the billet piece. If you do it yourself, mark the shift cable (the black one-not the wire one for lock solenoid) so that you install it back in the exact same place. It took me awhile to find the right place to bolt it back in so that when indicator said "R" I was actually in reverse, etc. Also, look closely at the lock solenoid when you remove it. It has a clip holding it down, and it will break very easy. I know two people that broke theirs because they didn't realize it didn't just pop out and was locked. It was not too bad of a job. I spent more time getting the shift cable back in right position than I did actually replacing part. Chargerforums.com has tons of info and pics on this. Good luck.

that pile of garbage 2007 magnum we had for a while did that to us once. damnt hing was stuck in park, even the manual button on the side wouldn't release the damn thing. towed it to the dealer and they said they replaced the shifter. under warranty ofcourse. a few months later the spring that pulls the shifter tot he side as ya move it popped or something so back to the dealer it goes again. they said they replaced the shifter again. ofcourse every time it happened to her i was an hour away at work. god i'm glad we got rid of that sh** box. this stuff should just not be such a problem on a 30,ooo mile car. never a chrysler product again for me.


glad ya got home and it was an easy fix for you.

Well, I FORCED mine out of the park position & it is still working, but there is a hesitation to get it out of park in the shifter (tranny works fine). What did I mess-up by doing this? Maybe I'll see if I can get a shifter out of a wreck & install the billet piece ($25.00). I'll get familiar with the installation & assembly before I mess with the one in my car.

We got a recall for our 07 Charger but I haven't brought it in yet. Still trying to find a dealer I trust....

Anyway, I thought it was for that mechanism, not just the spring.

A certian range of 07`s (June 25 thru Sept 11 07) had a recall for this (K39) and it also covers any 05-07 that had a service replacement installed prior to june of 07

Have them run the VIN for recalls, or PM me the last 8 of the VIN

If the recall dosen`t apply there is a service package available to fix it 68088259AB lists for $7.25 and comes with instructions.


It isn`t all that common but does happen.
Rick

It IS a RECALL!! Here is the notice - I found it in my pile of "to do" stuff: (car is at the dealer - waiting for parts)

Good info. I'll call to see if the vin for the 06 Daytona is included. The Pink thing. Thanks.