2000 DODGE NEON lock

LOW LUBRICANT LEVEL
Insufficient transaxle lubricant is usually the
result of leaks, or inaccurate fluid level check or refill
method. Leakage is evident by the presence of oil
around the leak point. If leakage is not evident, the
condition is probably the result of an underfill.
If air±powered lubrication equipment is used to fill
a transaxle, be sure the equipment is properly cali-
brated. Equipment out of calibration can lead to an
underfill condition.
FLUID LEAKS
Fluid leaks can occur around the input shaft seal,
axleshaft seals, case split lines, and the end cover. Be
careful not to misdiagnose an input shaft seal leak
for an engine rear main seal leak. Also, the transaxle
case sealer (split line) will accumulate dirt and look
like an oil leak.
CLUTCH PROBLEMS
Worn, damaged, or misaligned clutch components
can cause difficult shifting, gear clash, and noise.
A worn or damaged clutch disc, pressure plate, or
release bearing can cause hard shifting and gear
clash.
SERVICE PROCEDURES
FLUID DRAIN AND FILL
All NV T350 (A-578) transaxles are equipped with
a fill plug. The fill plug is located on the left side of
the transaxle differential area (Fig. 3). The fluid level
should be within 3/16 inch from the bottom of the
transaxle fill hole (vehicle must be level when check-
ing).All NV T350 (A-578) transaxles are equipped with
a drain plug. The drain plug is located on the lower
right side of the transaxle differential housing (Fig.
4). Tighten drain plug to 28 N´m (250 in. lbs.)
Dry fill lubricant capacity is approximately 1.9-2.2
liters (4.0-4.6 pints). Wipe the outside of the tran-
saxle if any lubricant spills.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
GEARSHIFT KNOB
REMOVAL
(1)Pull shifter boot down and away from shifter knob.
(2) Push down on knob and rotate clockwise to
remove (Fig. 5).
Fig. 3 Fill Plug Location
1 ± RUBBER FILL PLUG
2 ± LEFT DRIVESHAFT SEAL
Fig. 4 Drain Plug Location
1 ± RIGHT DRIVESHAFT SEAL
2 ± DRAIN PLUG
Fig. 5 Gearshift Knob Removal
1 ± GEARSHIFT KNOB
21 - 4 TRANSAXLEPL
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

INSTALLATION
(1) Install knob to shifter lever, align knob to three
o'clock position, push knob down to engage spring
and rotate counter clockwise (Fig. 6).
(2) Return shifter boot to its original position
(seated around knob lip).
GEARSHIFT BOOT
REMOVAL
(1) Pull shifter boot down and away from shifter
knob.
(2) Push down on knob and rotate clockwise to
remove (Fig. 7).
(3) Remove the center console assembly as shown
in (Fig. 8).(4) Separate shifter boot from shifter assembly
(Fig. 9). Boot is retained to shifter by three push-pin
retainers.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install boot to the shifter assembly (Fig. 9).
Fasten boot to shifter with the three retainers.
(2) Install center console assembly (Fig. 8). Verify
that boot is not pinched at console opening before
tightening.
(3) Install knob to shifter lever, align knob to three
o'clock position, push knob down to engage spring
and rotate counter clockwise (Fig. 10).
Fig. 6 Gearshift Knob Installation
1 ± GEARSHIFT KNOB
2 ± SPRING
Fig. 7 Gearshift Knob Removal
1 ± GEARSHIFT KNOB
Fig. 8 Center Console Removal/InstallationÐTypical
1 ± CONSOLE
2 ± SCREW (4)
3 ± SCREW (2)
Fig. 9 Gearshift Boot Removal/Installation
1 ± BOOT
2 ± SHIFTER ASSEMBLY
PLTRANSAXLE 21 - 5
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(4) Return shifter boot to its original position
(seated around knob lip).
GEARSHIFT CABLE ASSEMBLY
NOTE: The crossover and selector cables are man-
ufactured as a cable ªassemblyº and cannot be ser-
viced individually.
REMOVAL
(1) Raise hood and disconnect battery negative
cable.
(2) Pull shifter boot down and away from shifter
knob.
(3) Push down on knob and rotate clockwise to
remove (Fig. 11).
(4) Remove the center console assembly as shown
in (Fig. 12).
(5) Separate shifter boot from shifter assembly
(Fig. 13). Boot is retained to shifter by three push-pin
retainers.
(6) Remove crossover cable retaining clip and dis-
connect from shift lever (Fig. 14).
(7) Remove selector cable retaining clip and dis-
connect from shift lever (Fig. 15).
(8) Remove three grommet plate-to-floor pan
attaching nuts (Fig. 14).
(9) Remove air cleaner/throttle body assy. (Fig. 16)
as follows:
(a) Disconnect proportional purge solenoid (PPS)
and crankcase vent hose from throttle body.
(b) Disconnect the Throttle Position Sensor
(TPS) and Idle Air Control (IAC) connectors.(c) Disconnect throttle body air duct from intake
manifold.
(d) Remove mounting bolt and nut (Fig. 16) and
partially remove air cleaner assembly.
(e) Disconnect accelerator and speed control (if
equipped) cables after the assy. is removed from
position. Remove air cleaner assembly from vehi-
cle.
(10) Disconnect cables from the shift levers at the
transaxle (Fig. 17).
CAUTION: Pry up with equal force on both sides of
shifter cable isolator bushings to avoid damaging
cable isolator bushings.
Fig. 10 Gearshift Knob Installation
1 ± GEARSHIFT KNOB
2 ± SPRING
Fig. 11 Gearshift Knob Removal
1 ± GEARSHIFT KNOB
Fig. 12 Center Console Removal/InstallationÐ
Typical
1 ± CONSOLE
2 ± SCREW (4)
3 ± SCREW (2)
21 - 6 TRANSAXLEPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(6) Install gearshift cables to mounting bracket
and fasten with NEW clips (Fig. 17). Make sure clips
are installed flush to bracket.
(7) Connect gearshift selector and crossover cable
to shift levers at transaxle (Fig. 17).
(8) Install and tighten the three grommet plate-to-
floor pan nuts to 6 N´m (50 in. lbs.) torque.
(9) Install selector cable to shifter lever and secure
cable to shifter bracket. Install clip (Fig. 15).
(10) Install crossover cable to shifter lever and
secure cable to shifter bracket. Install clip (Fig. 14).NOTE: Only the crossover cable is adjustable. The
selector cable does not have any adjustment capa-
bilities.
(11)Adjust crossover cable as follows:
(a) Loosen adjusting screw on crossover cable at
shifter (Fig. 20).
(b) Pin transaxle crossover lever in 3-4-N posi-
tion using a 1/4 inch drill bit. Align hole in cross-
over lever with the hole in the boss on the
transaxle case (Fig. 21). Be sure drill bit goes into
transaxle case at least one half inch.
(c) The shifter is spring±loaded and self±center-
ing. Allow shifter to rest in its neutral position.
Torque adjustment screw to 8 N´m (70 in. lbs.).
Care must be taken to avoid moving the shift
mechanism off-center during screw tightening.
(d) Remove drill bit from transaxle case and per-
form functional check by shifting transaxle into all
gears.
(12) Install boot to the shifter assembly (Fig. 13).
Fasten boot with the three retainers.
(13) Install center console assembly (Fig. 12). Ver-
ify that boot is not pinched at console opening before
tightening.
(14) Install knob to shifter lever, align knob to
three o'clock position, push knob down to engage
spring and rotate counter clockwise (Fig. 22).
(15) Return shifter boot to its original position
(seated around knob lip).
(16) Install the air cleaner/throttle body assy. (Fig.
16) as follows:
Fig. 17 Shift Cables at Transaxle
1 ± SHIFT CABLES
2 ± CLIPS
3 ± BRACKET
Fig. 18 Converter Heat Shield Removal/Installation
1 ± CONVERTER HEAT SHIELD
Fig. 19 Shift Cable Assembly at Floor Pan
1 ± CABLE ASSEMBLY
2 ± GROMMET PLATE
21 - 8 TRANSAXLEPL
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(a) Connect the accelerator and speed control (if
equipped) cables to the air cleaner/throttle body
assy.
(b) Install assy into position, making sure the
air cleaner locating slot is engaged to the battery
bracket tab, and tighten fasteners to 14 N´m (120
in. lbs.) torque.
(c) Verify throttle body duct is fully seated to
intake manifold and tighten clamp to 5 N´m (40 in.
lbs.) torque.(d) Connect the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS)
and Idle Air Control (IAC) connectors.
(e) Connect proportional purge solenoid (PPS)
and crankcase vent hose from throttle body.
(17) Connect battery negative cable.
GEARSHIFT MECHANISM REPLACEMENT
REMOVAL
(1) Pull shifter boot down and away from shifter
knob.
(2) Push down on knob and rotate clockwise to
remove (Fig. 23).
Fig. 20 Crossover Cable Adjustment Screw
1 ± CROSSOVER ADJUSTMENT SCREW
Fig. 21 Crossover Lever Pin Procedure
1±1¤488DRILL BIT
2 ± SELECTOR CABLE
3 ± CROSSOVER CABLE
Fig. 22 Gearshift Knob Installation
1 ± GEARSHIFT KNOB
2 ± SPRING
Fig. 23 Gearshift Knob Removal
1 ± GEARSHIFT KNOB
PLTRANSAXLE 21 - 9
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(5) Install center console assembly (Fig. 24). Verify
that boot is not pinched at console opening before
tightening.
(6) Install knob to shifter lever, align knob to three
o'clock position, push knob down to engage spring
and rotate counter clockwise (Fig. 29).
(7) Return shifter boot to its original position
(seated around knob lip).
VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR AND DRIVE PINION
REMOVAL
(1) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(2) Disconnect the speed sensor connector (Fig.
30).
CAUTION: Clean area around speed sensor before
removing to prevent dirt from entering the transaxle
during speed sensor removal.
(3) Remove speed sensor retaining bolt (Fig. 30).
(4) Remove speed sensor from transaxle.
CAUTION: Carefully remove vehicle speed sensor
so that sensor drive gear does not fall into tran-
saxle. Should sensor drive gear fall into the tran-
saxle during sensor removal, drive gear must be
reattached to sensor.
(5) Remove speed sensor drive gear from speed
sensor.
Fig. 28 Shifter Assy. Removal/Installation
1 ± SHIFTER ASSEMBLY
Fig. 29 Gearshift Knob Installation
1 ± GEARSHIFT KNOB
2 ± SPRING
Fig. 30 Speed Sensor and PinionÐRemoval/
Installation
1 ± CONNECTOR
2 ± SENSOR
3 ± O-RING
4 ± SPEEDO PINION
PLTRANSAXLE 21 - 11
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(11) Disconnect the vehicle speed sensor connector
(Fig. 39).
(12) Raise vehicle on hoist.
(13) Remove transaxle oil drain plug and drain oil
into a suitable container.
(14) Remove both axle shafts. Refer to Group 3,
Differential and Driveline for the correct procedures.
(15) Remove structural collar (Fig. 40).
(16) Remove the left engine-to-transaxle lateral
bending brace (Fig. 40).
(17) Remove bellhousing dust cover (Fig. 40).
(18) Remove the right engine-to-transaxle lateral
bending brace (Fig. 41).
(19) Remove starter motor (Fig. 42).
(20) Remove drive plate-to-clutch module bolts.
(21) Support engine at oil pan with screw jack and
wood block.
(22) Remove transaxle upper mount thru-bolt.
Gain access to this bolt through the driver's side
wheel house (Fig. 43).
Fig. 39 Vehicle Speed Sensor Connector
1 ± CONNECTOR
2 ± SENSOR
3 ± O-RING
4 ± SPEEDO PINION
Fig. 40 Left Lateral Bending Brace and Structural
CollarÐTypical
1 ± LATERAL BENDING BRACE
2 ± STRUCTURAL COLLAR
3 ± DUST COVER
Fig. 41 Right Lateral Bending Brace Removal/
InstallationÐTypical
1 ± TRANSAXLE
2 ± ENGINE
3 ± LATERAL BENDING BRACE
PLTRANSAXLE 21 - 15
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

(11) Remove reverse idler gear and spacer (Fig.
53).
(12) Remove two screws retaining reverse fork
bracket (Fig. 54). Remove reverse fork bracket and
reverse cam blockout assembly (Fig. 55).(13) Using snap±ring pliers, remove selector shaft
spacer (Fig. 56).
(14) Pull the selector shaft shift pin out of the slot
in the blocker assembly. Turn selector shaft up and
out of the way (Fig. 57).
Fig. 53 Reverse Idler Gear and Spacer Removal
1 ± SPACER
2 ± REVERSE IDLER GEAR
Fig. 54 Screws Retaining Reverse Fork Bracket
1 ± SCREWS (2)
2 ± REVERSE FORK BRACKET
Fig. 55 Remove Reverse Fork Bracket
1 ± REVERSE FORK BRACKET
2 ± REVERSE CAM BLOCKOUT
3 ± SHIFT BLOCKER ASSEMBLY
Fig. 56 Remove Selector Shaft Spacer
1 ± SHIFT BLOCKER ASSEMBLY
2 ± SELECTOR SHAFT SPACER (PLASTIC)
3 ± SNAP RING PLIERS
21 - 20 TRANSAXLEPL
DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY (Continued)