A/T - FWD Hard to Pull Out of Park

SIL 88-37 (Nov)

SUBJECT: CHRYSLER

All Chrysler Front Wheel Drive 1987 and Prior

PROBLEM: Hard to pull out of Park.

When the vehicle is parked on a sufficiently steep grade, abnormally high effort is required to disengage Park. The vehicle is particularly susceptible to this condition if it is heavily loaded.

DIAGNOSIS:
Verify the condition by parking the vehicle on the steepest grade available (up to 32% grade) facing uphill. The following procedure must be followed:

1. Bring vehicle to a complete stop with service brakes.

2. Engage Park

3. Release service brakes.

4. Disengage Park, stopping the vehicle after it begins to roll.

NOTE
IF IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO DISENGAGE PARK, UNLOAD THE SYSTEM BY PUSHING UP AGAINST THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT HAS A SUITABLE BUMPER. NEVER ALLOW ANYONE TO STAND IN FRONT OF, OR BEHIND VEHICLE WHILE PERFORMING THIS TEST.

CAUSE:
The above condition may be caused by improper park rod bullet hardness. The park rod support may also be damaged. The resulting high effort may also have caused the manual control lever to bend, which further magnifies the problem. All these components should be inspected during the repair procedure and be replaced, if any evidence of damage is indicated to completely correct this condition.

CURE: Remove park rod and support.

Replace park rod with PN 4431530. Inspect support and replace if necessary. Be sure to replace the support attaching bolts and the E-clip as well.