🚨 2001 Plymouth Neon: Emergency Neutral
The 2001 Plymouth Neon automatic (second generation) uses a traditional column-mounted shifter with a mechanical shift-lock button on the shifter handle.
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — cross-check against your owner’s manual when possible.
⚠️ 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
- Set the parking brake and chock the wheels.
- Turn the ignition key to the ACC or ON position if the battery has any charge (this may release the shift lock automatically).
- If the shifter remains locked, locate the shift-lock override slot—it is a small rectangular opening on the left side of the shifter housing near where the stalk enters the column.
- Remove the small plastic cover from the override slot if present.
- Insert a small flat-blade screwdriver or similar tool into the override slot and push down firmly.
- While holding the override tool down, press the shifter button and move the shifter to Neutral.
- Remove the tool and confirm the vehicle is in Neutral before releasing the parking brake.
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular slot on the left side of the shifter housing near where the stalk enters the steering column
With zero electrical power
With a completely dead battery, the shift lock should mechanically release when you use the override slot. The ignition key does not need to turn if the battery is dead—proceed directly to using the override tool. The shifter mechanism is cable-operated and does not require electrical power to move once the lock is released.