🚨 1996 Dodge Neon: Emergency Neutral
The 1996 Neon uses a floor-mounted console shifter with a traditional PRNDL gate and a button on the shifter handle.
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — details like the exact override location may vary by trim; verify visually before prying anything.
⚠️ Chock the wheels first — neutral means the car can roll. Set the parking brake while you work, never stand downhill of the vehicle, and try a 12-volt jump before any override: power fixes most stuck-in-park problems instantly.
The procedure
- Ensure the parking brake is firmly engaged and the vehicle is on level ground or securely chocked.
- Turn the ignition key to the ACC or ON position if the battery has any charge remaining.
- Locate the shift lock override slot—it is a small covered opening to the right of the shifter base on the console.
- Use a flathead screwdriver or similar tool to carefully pry off or open the small plastic cover over the override slot.
- Insert a screwdriver, key, or similar rigid tool into the override slot and press down firmly.
- While holding the override down, press the shifter button and move the shifter to Neutral.
- If successful, the shifter will move freely to Neutral; release the tool and verify the shift indicator shows N.
- If the vehicle must be towed, leave it in Neutral with the parking brake released.
Shift-lock override location
Small covered slot to the right of the shifter base on the center console; cover may need to be pried off.
With zero electrical power
With a completely dead battery, the ignition key cannot be turned to ACC/ON. The shift lock override still functions mechanically—proceed directly to inserting the tool into the override slot and shifting to Neutral. You do not need electrical power to use the mechanical override.