PARK LOCK OUT MECHANISM INSTALLATION
2005 Chrysler 300C (and similar models)
So, you got your replacement “PARK LOCK OUT MECHANISM” from Billet Technologies, you’ve read through the “instructions” that came with it, and you’ve discovered that the “instructions” don’t actually say anything about the removal of the shifter mechanism from the car, nor how to change out the “pink thingy”! (except to refer you to their video on YouTube).
The “instructions” from BT are little more than an excerpt from the service manual on how to remove the floor console from the car. And even that isn’t complete! Removal of the shifter knob (not mentioned in the instructions, but diagrammed as so) will keep it out of harms way. Removal of the panel beneath the ventilation controls (to access the top front console mounting screws) isn’t discussed either.
So, after getting to the end of the “instructions”, continue on from here. You’ll need a socket ratchet, socket extension, 10-mm deep-well socket, 8-mm socket, 8-mm box wrench, Phillips screwdriver, a couple of small flat-blade screwdrivers, and a needle-nose pliers. All tolled, it’ll take about 1- 1&1/2 hours. Personally, I did not disconnect the battery (as the “instructions” state) as I deemed that there was nothing more electrical involved than unplugging and re-plugging a handful of connectors. I did turn off the radio as the ignition key is left in the “accessory” position throughout the procedure.
1-st: to gain access to the two screws holding the top front end of the floor console to the dash just below the ventilation controls, insert a small screwdriver behind the upper right and upper left corners, behind the seat heater switches if so equipped, and pry to pop the panel forward at its top edge.
2-nd: grab the panel and pull out at its bottom.
3-rd: unplug the wire harnesses (left and right) from the seat heater switches, if so equipped.
4-th: unplug the cigar lighter wire harness, if so equipped, from the center rear of the panel.
The panel can be set aside.
5-th: remove the two screws at the upper front corners of the floor console, and slide the console rearward. Then, as per BT’s “instructions”, raise the front end of the floor console, reach back under the storage compartment, and unplug the wires at the power point of the console rear bin. Then remove the floor console.
6-th: with the tip of a small screwdriver, release the latch holding the shift lock out cable adjuster housing to the base, and lift the shift lock out cable adjuster housing free and clear of the base.
7-th: allow the shift lock out cable adjuster to move toward the rear of the car about 1/2". The end of the cable will come out of its seat in the park lock out mechanism at the left side of the shifter assembly.
8-th: locate the gear shift control cable on the right side front of the shifter assembly. In order to be able to re-assemble the connection in its original position, scribe a line around the top edge of the washer under the head of the screw connecting the cable end to the plastic link.
9-th: remove the 8-mm screw holding the cable end to the plastic link.
10-th: move the cable end clear of the plastic link.
11-th: with the tip of a small screwdriver, release the latch holding the gear shift control cable to the base, and lift the gear shift control cable free of the base.
12-th: lay the gear shift control cable clear of the shifter mechanism base.
13-th: just behind the left rear corner of the shifter mechanism, unplug the wires to the light for the shifter, and unthread the wires from the holder on the side of the shifter mechanism base.
14-th: at the left rear corner of the shifter mechanism, unplug the wires leading to the ESP module.
15-th: remove the (4) 10-mm nuts mounting the shifter mechanism to the floor.
16-th: lift the shifter mechanism up and out of the car, and take it to the workbench for dis-assembly.
17-th: with the tip of a small screwdriver, release and unplug the electrical connector for the internal wiring between the upper and lower sections of the shifter mechanism.
18-th: in this top view of the shifter mechanism the screwdrivers point out the positions of the (3) tabs retaining the upper section of the shifter mechanism to the lower section.
19-th: with (2) small screwdrivers, pry the sidewall of the upper section of the shifter mechanism from the lower section at each of the (3) tab locations. As suggested in BT’s video [viewable at
http://www.youtube .com/watch?v=P_QMSBpYThI], start with the tab at the rear of the shifter assembly as it is the easiest to release , and will allow tilting the upper section of the assembly as the other two tabs are released.
20-th: remove the upper section of the shifter mechanism from the base to expose the interior containing the park lock out mechanism (a.k.a. the “pink thingy”).
21-st: disconnect the spring from the “pink thingy”, and remove the ‘pink thingy” by rotating it clockwise and lifting it off of its mounting.
22-nd: install the replacement park lock out mechanism (shown here painted pink in deference to the original “pink thingy”!), and re-attach the spring.
23-rd: place the shift lever sticking straight up in the base, slide the hole in the boot to the “R” position, pull the emergency release button out of the side of the top section until it catches on its integral step so that it does not interfere with internal components as the top section is slid into place over the base, carefully align the top section over the shift lever, slide the top section down onto the base section watching that the plastic gear shift control cable link doesn’t bind and lies horizontal/forward, then snap the top over the (3) tabs to lock it in place. Then flip the emergency release button off of its step so it goes back to its operational position.
24-th: check for proper operation of the shift lever by pressing the emergency release button and moving the shift lever through its positions.
25-th: installation in the car is reverse of removal.
Linear Mode
