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

 

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.

 

This is taken from another site (forum) but it does relate to your issue

 

deleted post