I own a Dodge Dakota 4x4 V6 engine with a automatic trans and 177k miles.


For the past year I have been starting my truck in neutral because it will not start in the park position. The only time I can get the truck to start in park is when I slam the shifter but that doesn't work anymore. So now the problem is worse because the other day I put my truck into park and it started to shift into gears when the truck was off like it didn't stay in park. Then when I turned the key on to put the truck into neutral my shifter was jammed up like I couldn't move it, so then I had to shake the truck just to get it to come out of gear.

I think it shifted to drive when the truck was off.

What could be the problem?

Please help

 

Sounds like your linkages are damaged/out of adjustment/binding.

 

sounds like a neutral safety switch to me

 

The neutral safety switch could be part of the issue, but thats not why its popping out of gear.

 

The truck doesn't fully lock into the park position and that might explain why it wants to roll away.

something out of alignment??

 

Replace your neutral safety switch to cure the first problem. I would look at your linkages to see if they are binding. Otherwise look under your truck and under the drivers side cab youll see a bunch of linkages coming into the side of the transmission. There will be one positioned vertically with a bolt holding it to a rod. Make sure the retaining bolt is tight and there are no slide/scratch marks going up and down the rod.

 

+1. Except don't replace your P/N safety switch just yet. Adjust the rod first and then see if it works. If your shifter linkages are out of adjustment, you probably aren't making contact on the P/N switch, but that doesn't mean the switch is bad.

What you're going to adjust is the part in this picture labled "Front Shift Rod, Spring, and Swivel." Loosen the "Swivel Lock Bolt" and adjust by sliding it up or down. It's trial and error, so just mess with it until it feels right. It shouldn't take too long. Keep in mind though that the spring has tension on the swivel so mark the initial spot before you loosen the bolt so you don't loose your starting place.

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