| Subject: | Auto trans ignition-park interlock |
| Components covered: |
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| Investigations Summary: |
This investigation was opened on Jul. 17, 2003.
It was closed on Jan. 30, 2004.
Note: this investigation has resulted in
a vehicle safety recall. The manufacturer reports above are based on daimlerchryslerâ¿s (DC) analysis of model year (my) 1998 (population = 356,384) and 1999 (population = 486,948) ja, jx and lh family subject vehicle data (earlier mys excluded). The population number includes all mys. The precise number of duplicates between odi and DC reports cannot be determined due to missing or incomplete information. The fatality incident involved an elderly person who attempted to stop a roll away vehicle and received fatal injuries. Odi also gathered information on my 1997-99 prowler vehicles in this investigation. The prowler vehicles were manufactured with a different design shifter mechanism (the shift lever is shorter). There are no complaints of prowler interlock failure in odiâ¿s database, and DC has received no reports either. The prowler is excluded from the recall scope. The investigation involved a condition where the interlock system could fail (or be made inoperative by the operator) during vehicle use, possibly inadvertently. The interlock system is required under fmvss 114. With the transmission in the park position and the ignition key off, the combined action of pressing the shift button and pulling the shift lever rearward may result in the operator overcoming the interlock system and cause the mechanical linkage of the system to disconnect. When this occurs, there is no overt indication to an operator that the system is defeated, and an increased risk of vehicle roll-away exists. Under recall 04v021, DC will replace damaged shift mechanisms, and will install on all vehicles a device which inhibits the operatorâ¿s ability to overcome the interlock and defeat the system. Beginning with my 2000, DC incorporated a brake and transmission shifter interlock (btsi) system into the subject vehicles. Introduction of btsi involved design changes to the shift mechanism, one of which resulted in reduced mechanical advantage (rma) of the shift button. The rma shifter requires increased forces to overcome the interlock system, making the shifter less susceptible to damage. |
| Vehicles Affected by this investigation: |
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Defect investigation of powered vehicle rollaway
Defect investigation of totally integrated power module failure
Defect investigation of engine stall after refueling