I started the Dakota for the second time today and after that I had a new problem. When I tried to shift into reverse to back out of the spot, the shifter was locked. I pulled the shifter boot off to look inside and saw that the lock that blocks shifter movement was still in place. This lock should release when the key is turned forward but didn't move this time. I simply pushed the lock in and drove home with no problems. Back at home, I shut the truck off and turned the key forward to see if the lock would function normally. It did not so I logged on here to see if anyone had any experience with this problem. In a few minutes, I will begin troubleshooting the lock and I will update this posting later with what I find out. I hope to write about how to fix the problem but that depends on what is required for the repair.

Andy
'02 Dakota Quad cab SLT 4wd, 4.7

 

Dude i'm with you on that, it seemed to happen to me quite a few times. Haven't noticed it much though after the Shift blocker recall from last year. Recall had something to do with the blocker wearing down after years and the truck could come out of park with the key out of the ignition.

 

It turned out to be an easy fix. The mechanism that releases the block was cold and not well lubricated. I squirted some 3-in-1 between the sliding bar and what it was mounted to and that fixed the problem.

I don't keep up with those recalls enough to have heard about one on the blocker. Is there a website that you can search recalls? Is it too late to get a recall as old as the one you wrote about?

 

The gear shift blocker recall is pretty recent. I want to say that it came out a few months ago. I know I have done a few of them at my dealership. If nothing else, call your local dealer with your VIN number and they can tell you if it has any recalls that haven't been completed yet.