ok heres the deal. Durango will start in neutral but not in park. I am thinking a park netral swith. I pulled the steering colum covers apart but could not find any switches on the shifter.

 

did you check for it above the brake pedal on the colum i haven't had to replace one on mine yet but all my other cars that's the spot it was located

 

I will check that tonight when my Durango returns home to me. Wife has it today.

 

I checked under the brake pedal but I dont see anything that looks like a switch. So I am out of ideas.

 

Ok.
00 Models
Its on left side of tranny case. (Neutarl start and back-up light are one unit).
Its a round unit

01 +
Its called a Transmission Range Sensor (TRS). Mounted roughly in the same place. For this model if you have the 545RFE trany it needs to be done at the dealer.
More square

Once you find it let me know and I'll send you the step by step on it. You cant miss is.

 

ok. its a 99 but I know what you are talkinga bout. It looks just like the speed sensor. Its towards the middle of the tranny on the left side??? Speed sensor is at the back of the trany?

 

No theres 2 speed sensors one on the tranny and the other in the rear diff. The 99s and 00s+ are a little different. But you shouldnt have to worry about the speed sensors those are completely different then what your problem is which sounds like the neutral start switch. That would be the best and probably the cheapest and easyiest place to start. Just when you pull the switch on the tranny be sure to put more fluid back in it.

Sorry about the late reply I've been out of town.

 

Just saw your post I have a 1998 5.9 SLT Durango,that just did the same thing today feels like it doesn't want to go into the correct detent according to the shifter arm and only will start in nuetral, before this I was having a problem with it shifting from 1st to 2nd unless you let off the pedal a bit , also having ABS and Brake Warning lights stay on wow 3 problems all within about 2 weeks. Any help would be appreciated! I am going to crawl under tomorrow and see if it has the sensor on the diff and take an ohm reading to start out.

 

Sounds like a speed sensor with the brake light coming on. Other than that the tranny may need a good flush or just some more fluid if you've changed it recently for the first to second shifting problem.

 

gumijagr did you ever figure out what your problem was. I am having two of the exact same problems. I have a 2000 Dodge Ram Van 1500 5.9L V8 automatic transmission. I got a transmisison service a couple months ago, and since then I can't shift into park. I got underneath and took the linkage cable off and the shift lever just won't go into Park, it feels like it only has 5 gears.

And I am also noticing the issue of having to take my foot off the pedal to shift from 1st to 2nd.

I'm stumped, let me know if you ever found what your problem was.

Thanks!