Key is stuck in Ignition

[jwight]

Here's a section of the DOT requirement for shift sequence:

S3. Requirements.

S3.1 Automatic transmissions.

S3.1.1 Location of transmission shift positions on passenger cars. A neutral position shall be located between forward drive and reverse drive positions.

S3.1.1.1 Transmission shift levers. If a steering-column-mounted transmission shift lever is used, movement from neutral position to forward drive position shall be clockwise. If the transmission shift lever sequence includes a park position, it shall be located at the end, adjacent to the reverse drive position.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regul...ction_toc=2069

[DaveInTexas]

Originally Posted by jwight

Here's a section of the DOT requirement for shift sequence:



http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regul...ction_toc=2069

So what is your point?

[jwight]

[quote=DaveInTexas;38863]So what is your point?


Minny posted earlier: "You know what I was just thinking.... they made a special transmission "selector" for us so that we were more "familiar with it."

I guess my point is "they" didn't do anything but comply with DOT requirements for the shift sequence, which is the same for all cars sold in the USA. It was not a plot by Penske or Mercedes.

[cosmart]

My '64 Olds had a column shift automatic that went P-N-D-2-1-R. I believe these cars were the reason DOT came up with the rules. 'Mericans were too stupid to adapt to anything new. Too many people dropping it into "low" and punching it. Ooops. That was reverse.

It pains me to say it.

[the_dude]

I'm pretty sure the Canadian shifters on the 451 have the same "automatic" arrangement. I wouldn't swear to it though. But I don't think it's a matter of dumbing it down for Americans.

[Old smart]

I note that within the recently revised rule that there are provisions to accomodate stop-start technology (e.g. smart MHD).

[Mr. Incredible]

I took my smart into smart center bloomfield today, 02/20/08, and fixed my "key stuck in the ignition" problem.

Over the past week to week and a half, it has been sometimes difficult putting my shifter into park. I would have to go 'for' and 'aft' with the shifter a couple of times before it would slide into park. Yesterday afternoon was one of those days not going into park. I ran the shifter through the range R N D and back. About 4 or 5 times until it finally went in. But it went in easily. All of a sudden the shifter moved more freely through P R N D.

It turns out a plastic component shattered in the shifter. And one tiny piece of broken plastic, with grease lubricant, stuck to the cam barrel of the ignition switch. That little piece would not fall off which prevented the key from rotating to home position for removal.

Smart center bloomfield removed the shattered plastic, removed the little piece on the ignition cam barrel and replaced the broken plastic component.

After driving the car around town tonight the shifter works even better than before. It goes EASILY and FREELY to and from the park position.

Thank you smart center bloomfield for the quick repair of my smart.

Mark (Bob_Parr)

[Carnut]

Any idea from the techs on the reason for the plastic breaking?

[tnt0604]

Originally Posted by Bob_Parr

It turns out a plastic component shattered in the shifter. Smart center bloomfield replaced the broken plastic component.

After driving the car around town tonight the shifter works even better than before. Mark (Bob_Parr)

;) That's what you get when you let a teenager drive your car the first day you get it ! ;)

[skyzdlimit59]

Originally Posted by Bob_Parr

After driving the car around town tonight the shifter works even better than before. It goes EASILY and FREELY to and from the park position.

Thank you smart center bloomfield for the quick repair of my smart.

Mark (Bob_Parr)

Another happy ending. Glad to hear it's driving normal again!