Hello Everyone!
Im having a little trouble with my automatic shifter on my 1997 Ram 2500.
This started a few weeks ago when I was driving on the highway. Theres this one bump, and everytime id go that way id hit it and the shifter would always pop out of drive and into neutral. I would then pull over and put it back in drive. Other then that bump the truck would stay in drive no problem. Now it seems like when I stick the shifter in drive that it will stay in drive and then a few minutes down the road it will vibrate it self back into neutral. For now I am holding the shifter while I drive between
(D)-(2).
Is this something I can attempt to fix or is this something I bring to the shop and have the deal with it?
I appreciate any input given, have a good day!

 

Check the shift linkage for worn bushings, etc. Also, how are your body mounts?

 

All I remember about this is when you open up your tranny pan and remove the filter, you'll see the linkage coming from the valve body and into a little hole toward the rear. This was years ago so I don't remember specifics of exactly how it was. I remember that the linkage had to be seated inside that hole in a particular way. There's basically a lip in there that it needs to get past and then insure it is on the valve body correctly. Forgive me for speaking jibberish as I'm gathering my thoughts while posting. My guess though is that the vibrations caused by that may have knocked it loose and/or repetitiveness of that bump and other vibrations have worn it out. I had that linkage wrong from a shift kit install i did and my truck had a hard time staying in gear. I may have some pictures from then to show you as a reference to clear up confusion.

 

http://www.sonnax.com/system/pdfs/99...pdf?1289926275

This is exactly what I was talking about but with ideas collected in a manner you'll understand lol. I'm sure that bump just did it for you

 

There is only about a 1% chance of this being the issue.......


....and a 99% chance that this is it. (not really - I made those number up!) But I do believe the issue is the external linkage. Put truck in Park. Engine off. Climb under truck and loosen bolt that connects the two linkage rods. Move (wiggle) the shaft that runs back to tranny and make sure the shifter is all the way back. This is park. Tighten bolt. Move shifter to Neutral. Loosen bolt again and make sure the shifter is nested in position. Tighten bolt. Now take it for a test drive to see if it is fixed.