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Won't Shift Into Park
Howdy Y'all,
I have a 2002 Dodge Ram Wagon, and the thing won't shift into park. I had a 'mechanic' look at it (as it had previously had difficulty shifting out of park), and now it won't go past R. The shifting lever settles in the correct position to be in park, but it just physically does not go into park, it stays in reverse. The mechanic told me I could do it by myself, and it was easy, but I've never really dealt with transmissions. I think he messed with the shifting sensor... but I'm not entirely sure. Any ideas on what it could be, or how I can fix it (besides taking it back to that 'mechanic')? |
You may be able to adjust it at the transmission where the linkage hooks up. Not certain how yours hooks up, but in my past with that sort of problem I resolved by just adjusting the link rod down there. Also on some vehicles you have to pull a bit towards you or away if on the column to move it from park to reverse and visa/versa
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Safety Recall G28
2001 - 2002 (AB) Dodge Ram Van/Wagon
(AN) Dodge Dakota (DN) Dodge Durango 2002 (DR) Dodge Ram Pick Up Truck NOTE: This recall applies only to the above vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and a column shifter built through January 2, 2002. This recall also applies to certain late built 2002 vehicles equipped with a steering column built before January 2, 2002. The ignition/Park interlock system on about 578,000 of the above vehicles may become inoperative. This can allow the shifter to be moved out of the “Park” position with the ignition key removed (or in the “Lock” position). This can also allow the ignition key to be removed when the shifter has not been placed in the “Park” position. Either of these conditions could allow the vehicle to roll away and cause a crash without warning. The steering column gear shift blocker must be replaced. Models IMPORTANT: Some of the involved vehicles may be in dealer used vehicle inventory. Dealers should complete this recall service on these vehicles before retail delivery. Dealers should also perform this recall on vehicles in for service. Involved vehicles can be determined by using the VIP inquiry process. Subject Repair Safety Recall G28 – Ignition/Park Interlock Page 2 Part Number Description CBXSG280 Gear Shift Lever Blocker Package Each package contains the following components: Quantity Description 1 Blocker, Gear Shift 1 Clip, Plastic Wire Routing Each dealer to whom vehicles in the recall were assigned will receive enough Gear Shift Lever Blocker Packages to service about 10% of those vehicles. Part Number Description 04549615 Lubriplate White Grease (1.75 oz. tube) (MSQ: 12) NOTE: One tube of Lubriplate can lubricate 50 gear shift lever blockers. 1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. 2. Remove the driver’s side knee blocker. 3. Vehicles equipped with a tilt steering column, place the column tilt in its full down position. 4. Vehicles equipped with a tilt steering column, remove the tilt column lever handle. 5. Loosen the four (4) steering column mounting nuts to partially lower the steering column. 6. Remove the lower steering column cover retaining screws. 7. Separate and remove the upper and lower steering column covers. Parts Information Service Procedure Safety Recall G28 – Ignition/Park Interlock Page 3 8. Remove the four (4) steering column mounting nuts and lower the column. 9. Disconnect the white gear shift handle overdrive switch connector. 10. Disconnect the transmission gear shift cable from the steering column gear shift housing ball stud. 11. Using a male 25T Torx® driver, remove the three fasteners that retain the gear shift module to the steering column (Figure 1). 12. Rotate the gear shift module assembly towards the steering wheel and remove it from the steering column assembly. 13. Unclip the overdrive shift switch wiring harness from the metal spring clip on the gear shift blocker bracket. 14. Pull on the gear shift lever to compress the gear shift lever spring and temporarily insert a pencil (or equivalent) between the gear shift lever and gear shift housing to release any spring tension on the gear shift blocker bracket (Figure 2). 15. Using a male 25T Torx driver, remove the gear shift lever pivot screw and associated flat and wave washers. CAUTION: Keep all of the washers in the order they were removed. 16. Remove and discard the original gear shift blocker bracket assembly from the gear shift housing. Service Procedure (Continued) Figure 1 Figure 2 GEAR SHIFT LEVER GEAR SHIFT MODULE FASTENERS Safety Recall G28 – Ignition/Park Interlock Page 4 17. Clean and lightly lubricate the white plastic bushing located under the gear shift blocker bracket assembly with Lubriplate® white grease (Figure 3). 18. With the white plastic bushing in place on the gear shift lever housing, install the new gear shift blocker assembly (Figure 3). 19. Clean and lightly lubricate the black plastic washer, wave washer and steel washer with Lubriplate white grease (Figure 3). 20. Install the wave washer, black plastic washer and flat steel washer in the order shown in Figure 3 while aligning the square holes in the steel washer with the alignment tabs on the gear shift housing.. 21. Install gear shift lever pivot screw and tighten to 105 in. lbs. (12 N·m) (Figure 3). Service Procedure (Continued) Figure 3 Safety Recall G28 – Ignition/Park Interlock Page 5 22. Pull on the gear shift lever to compress the gear shift lever spring and remove the pencil. 23. Clip the overdrive gear shift switch wiring harness into the plastic clip located on the gear shift blocker bracket. 24. Place the gear shift module assembly into position on the steering column. CAUTION: Be sure that the gear shift blocker pin is inserted into the steering column slide bracket hole (Figure 4). 25. Install the three (3) shift module assembly mounting screws and tighten them to 105 in. lbs. (12 N·m) (Figure 1). 26. Connect the transmission gear shift cable to the steering column gear shift housing ball stud. Service Procedure (Continued) Figure 4 Safety Recall G28 – Ignition/Park Interlock Page 6 27. Connect the white gear shift handle overdrive switch connector to the instrument panel wiring harness. 28. Install the upper and lower steering column covers. 29. Install the lower steering column cover retaining screws. 30. Install the gear shift lever boot. 31. Lift the steering column into position and install the four (4) steering column mounting nuts. Tighten the nuts to 21 ft. lbs. (28 N·m). 32. Vehicles equipped with a tilt steering column, install the tilt column lever handle. 33. Install the driver’s side knee blocker. 34. Connect the negative battery cable. 35. Verify that the steering column and gear shift lever is functioning properly and that the key cannot be removed if the gear shift lever is not in the “Park” position. |
Another Possibility Trans Band Anchor
The piece that can drop is actually the "clutch band anchor" which I believe is not part of the band but is it's own separate piece. I think mine was from my 2nd gear band. I guess they are only kept in place by the pressure from the band and when it wears to a certain point or if it goes out of adjustment there is enough slack for the anchor to drop out. Took the trans pan off and found it sitting on top of the valve body where the internal part of the shifting mechanism would run into it and stop when I'd try to go into park. I had a pair of extra long needle nose pliers and I was able to move it around enough to fish it out of there without removing the valve body. Flexible 'graspers' or a magnet would probably work too. It would have to come out from over the left front of the valve body and it takes a bit of wiggling and re-positioning it to get it through that very small space. You folks have the starter on that side so there might not be as much room to work with. Not a lot of fun but you can get your truck 90% driveable for the cost of a trans pan gasket, filter and ATF. Def won't solve all of your problems but it will get you your park back at least. So, if you explain this to a tranny shop there is a (small) chance they could reinstall the anchor and tighten the bands rather than rebuilding the trans. Depending on your level of skillz you might even be able to do this yourself. Almost certain it would involve dropping the valve body though, and it depends on whether the anchor dropped cuz the band was worn or not. I don't recall my second slipping much before this happened so I think it might have just gone out of adjustment. |
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