I have a 2004 Dakota 4x4 with a 3.7L and about 147k on it. I started my truck and when I went to put the truck into drive, the shifter only went down to reverse and now the truck won’t come out of reverse. I have never had any transmission trouble with this truck; I know the ATF level is right where it should be, because I had just checked all the fluids about a week earlier. I thought maybe the shifter cable was bad, but I went under the truck and pulled the cable off and it slides in and out with no problem. I then tried to move the linkage by hand and it would not budge. I need this truck running, so I would really appreciate any suggestions. Thank You and Merry Christmas.

 

Sounds like a mechanical failure on the rooster comb inside the trans pan.

 

Do you know if you can get to it through the pan, or is that a job for a tranny shop? Thanks magnethead, I do appreciate your replies.

 

Not sure off hand, but should be able to drop the pan and at least see it. Might require dropping the valvebody or sensor array, which then goes to your specific skills/abilities. If nothing else, should be able to drop the pan and move the linkage arm and see where it's hanging up.

 

When i had to replace my overdrive i was in junkyard an took off the valve body on one that was off ,here is a pic of that rod with a spring in it that is attached ,not in pic now, to the rooster or holder in valve body pic -- that arm with the spring on it ..
maybe it came off . 3rd pic hole is where it went
Last pic is where rod continues on ,to link in at reverse/overdrive.

 

Thank you for sharing those pictures.I decided to pull the pan and valvebody, I found a really good video that shows the rooster comb. I can't see it being anything else, because this tranny has never given me any trouble before. I have afew days to play before I head back out on the road.