Hey,

I just purchased a 2002 Dodge Durango from a Used car dealership. I was having problems with the shifting, it seems that the shifting is very sticky. The guy at the dealership told me it was a safety feature in the engine to not let it shift until it is a certain temperature. I feel that this is not true. In 2008 the gear shift lever blocker was replaced and I feel that that is most likely the problem. Does anyone else have to wait for there 2002 Dodge durango to shift gears?

 

If it is running really, really hot... they are correct. There is a safety limp mode. There is no such action on the cold side. The PCM just throws a code if the vehicle can't get to a certain temp. My D runs extremely cool due to how I built it. ONCE last winter on a Zero Degree day, it just couldn't get up to temp and I popped the code. Driveability was unaffected however I am certain my poor gas mileage went to even further shiat from there.

Is the engine a 4.7l or a 5.9L? Makes a difference on what type of trans you have and thus, what kind of service may need to be recommended (assuming it isn't the limp mode situation.)

IndyDurango

 

Thanks for the reply, the engine itself is a 4.7 liter.

Also additional information...

I can turn the car on and get it to shift gears by being a little rough with it and it will shift between gears just fine after initial gear change. Once I turn the motor off and try again it wont shift and I have to throw it around a little bit to shift gears again.

 

4.7l mated trans are all electronically controlled. You didn't mention if is was running hot and getting into limp mode or not. Assuming it is NOT... there are 4 items to check/review. Check back with us after those are reviewed at your best local trans shop. Avoid the dealer.

1) has the trans been serviced? May need new ATF+4 fluid and mopar filter.
2) the trans is controlled by a TCCM that that may be failing or a loose connection.
3) The TCCM and trans are master controlled by the PCM. PCM also controls everything else so are there any other issues?
4) the trans is supported by various additional sensors, etc. The trans shop can review all of those at once during the service visit.

IndyD

 

Yea sorry the car was just turned on it was not running hot. I maybe should be more clear I don't think I was. I'm having a hard time getting it to shift from park to anything else, but when I do get it to shift It goes through all the gears just fine and smooth. It's when I turn the car off and on again and try to switch gears that It wont switch from park without a fight but when it does it changes gears smoothly.


There are also no other problems with the vehicle thus far.

 

Indy,

Not that it's a solution to the OP's problem, but are you sure that the engine temp doesn't affect shifting when it's cold? Reason I ask is my '03 4.7 has always been reluctant shifting into high gear (OD) when it's cold (under 20 degrees) until I drive a couple miles or the engine warms up enough to move the temp gauge to 1/4 scale. It's done this from day one. I've always assumed that it was either engine temp or tranny temp related.

To the OP, have the tranny fluids / filters serviced. When you say it doesn't shift from park, is the shifting lever getting hung up or is the tranny just not responding after putting it in gear? Low fluid will most certainly cause the second scenario to happen.

Bon

 

to the OP you have a pretty common cold weather problem going on here, its caused by a lack of lubrication on the shifter interlock, if you take the rubber boot off the column shift and look inside you will see a tab which locks the shifter in park when the lubricant dries up this little tab wont retract properly giving you the exact problem you are describing here, there SHOULD be no wait on shifting the lever into gear. The best solution is to pull this rubber boot off and lubricate inside the mechanism to stop this from happening, i do it to mine every year in the mid to late fall with a silicon based spray lubricant that you can buy at any hardware store.

also Bobman, you are correct to a point, the transmission will NOT shift into OD until the transmission reaches a certain temperature, however everything else will work just fine at all temperatures.

 

Hey Shrp,

Yes that was the problem. Took the boot off this morning, couldn't see the blocker last night. Lubricated it and its shifting fine now. Thanks! and thanks to everyone else for the info.

 

OIC. When I read "Shift" I think transmission, not the physical shifter. Sorry.

 

So did I, until I started to think about the shifter lever was sticking. And then the member said the blocker was replaced in 2008.