The long story is, I was fixing a brake light switch on a 1993 Dakota 4x4 and figured I need to drop the steering column to get the new switch in place. When I dropped the column the shifter shifted into neutral and the linkage is bound up. What I need is to get the shifter to operate correctly.
Thanks steve

 

Is the column mounted back where it needs to go? Ignition in 'off' or 'run'? Might try disconnecting the linkage at the column, see if that frees anything up.

 

Hi Heyyou,
The column is where it needs to go. The ignition is off. We tried disconnecting linkage at column, it didn’t free anything up. Anymore suggestion. Should we disconnect transmission to see if it frees it up?
Thank you,
SP53/Steve ,sent by Karn

 

What part won't move? The shifter on the column, or the lever on the trans? Something in between?

 

Hi again, Both won’t move. Thank you,
SP53/Steve, sent by Karn

 

Put the steering column back in place, if you haven't already. Disconnect the linkage from the column, see if the lever will move. May have to block the front wheels, and jack the rear up to move the trans shift lever by hand..... takes the load of the park mechanism... makes it easier.

 

Hi Heyyou,
Thanks for response. Going over and do what you suggested today.
SP53/Steve sent by Karn

 

If your gear indicator is not moving, but the lever does, be sure to reconnect the wire from the instrument cluster to the bracket on the steering column.

 

Hello Flonderguy, we hooked the cable back up, but the cable system seems too simple. There does not appear to a guide for the cable to run on after the cable drops down from the PRND. Does the cable float in behind the steering wheel assembly for the last few inches of the cable. I can take a picture.
thanks.
Steve,sp53and Karn

 

The cable slides into a bracket on the shifter, on the left side of the steering column. I think you need to take off the kick (knee) panel to get to it.

The first time I dropped my steering column, I didn’t disconnect that little cable and broke the wire. I had to graft on some wire to make it long enough again.