2004.5 auto shift indicator will not show P (park)

[MojaveJoe]

So, just purchased a used 3500 with 133K miles. On the way home (210 miles) pulled into a rest stop and shifted into Park, I thought. Opened door with engine running and horn started honking and shifter gear lights all were flashing with the square white lights around them, like it was a warning I was not in Park. Closed door, cycled shift lever a couple times and finally I got a Park light.

Got home 2 hours later, and same Park light issue. This time I didn't open the door, just cycled the shifter until I got a Park light. It would stop at the R (light) and not proceed to Park light, for a couple tries. Then again it went into Park, before I shut down the motor.

Before purchase, and before knowing about this issue, I had the dealer drop the trans pan so i could see if there were any metal particles in it. There was nothing abnormal IMO. Just the powder fine gunk that sticks to the magnet.

In case this symptom is related, I also have a somewhat sticky throttle at about half pedal. Most noticeable when downshifting to pass using the go pedal.

Other than these 2 items Iam quite impressed with this truck and its broad power band (325/600), as compared to my former 2004.0 305/555 truck.

Any and all advice and experiences welcome.

(HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY to everyone on the TDR. And remember, avoid driving after loading up on turkey tryptophan :-laf )

P.S. I have a state mandated 15 day/500 mile warranty from this AZ dealer for anything that makes a used vehicle unsafe to operate. And going back to the dealer with 250 miles on the clock is not a real option now. Wondering what are my best options.

 

[cerberusiam]

The park light failing to come on usually has these sources:

1. Shift cable adjustment. The cable stretches over time and need adjustment, there is an adjusting lock tab behind the knee bolster where the cable is bolted to the steering column.

2. Range sensor. It is a fine adjustment sliding pin electronic box, it wears out. Related to this, if the sensor is not centered in the bore and seated BEFORE tightening the mounting screws it will never set the gears correctly.

3. On the detent plate top of the VB is a plastic ramp that actual sets the range sensor to the gears. Depending on how much shifting has been done in the life of the truck it wears down and the sensor does not get the correct voltage to tell the cluster to light gears.


First thing to check is when the shifter is in park is the transmission, regardless of what the dash says. When that happens next time, slide under there and shove the shift lever all the way back by hand to see if the travel is just short. If the lever is solidly against the stop and trans is in park, it is the range sensor or plastic actuator.


The sticky throttle when you go hard on the throttle is a bit more involved, the usual source of the problem is a worn TV valve in the VB. Easy to get parts for Sonnax has the kit, a bit harder to fix as you have to drop the VB and partially disassemble it.

Congrats on your new truck, hope it is just minor stuff to fix.

 

[MojaveJoe]

Thanks for all the good info Cerb..invaluable.

Just went out and started the truck in 32F temps. Started right up and idled smoothly, no throttle needed. After a few minutes I pulled the shifter down to D then back to P. Seemed to work good. Got the P indicator lite too, even circled.

Then I tried it again and when in park position it showed R circled and no P showing. I let my foot off the brake the truck rolled back 1" and a click, and it went into P and showed a circled P.
After a few more tries, I could make the P not show by holding shifter pulled back toward steering wheel and releasing it forward slowly. This would create the no P lite situation, then Id let it rollback an inch and Id hear click under the dash/steering column, after which the P lit up and the truck stopped rolling. On the other hand if I would let the shifter move forward quickly after going into park, the lite would come on simultaneous to the click under the dash, and the truck would not roll back.

In my best recollection, both prior events occurred when I was hurridly getting out of truck (engine running) after a quick shift to Park, and not allowing or not pushing the shifter forward.

Don't know if the clicking sound I hear is what needs adjustment or if it's just a normal sound for the Park function, in cab.

Have a Turbolicious Turkey Day.

 

[cerberusiam]

The click is likely the pawl dropping into the slot in the output shaft. Since park shows when it engages my guess would be a little adjustment on the cable is needed.

 

[MojaveJoe]

Iam sorry to say that after 2 full days at my dealer the service dept could not diagnose the sometimes 'failure to PARK' issues, since they could not recreate the symptom.
Further they could not specifically find the cause of the sticky throttle cable under heavy acceleration. Now on day 3 they say I need a new throttle cable? Is that even possible?
IMO their lack of knowledge about these common problems for my truck have me questioning if I even want them working on it.

So, after I get it home (no work done by dealer) can I check the throttle valve wear without dropping the trans pan? And can I change the throttle cable myself, or will I need a computer to get it right after swap out.

Geesh, I need to move someplace where there's a reliable Cummins shop.

 

[cerberusiam]

Throttle cable is possible if it is showing wear but that is usually obvious. If the throttle cable moves freely with the TV cable disconnected then the problem is usually the TV cable. TV cable could be sticky but it usually doe snot stick and jam under heavy throttle, it will be constant. Disconnect TV cable at both ends and if it moves freely by hand it is a good bet the problem is the TV valve in the VB, it is a known issue. Dealers response to anything like that is replace the VB for $$$$, they simply do not do spot repairs like the TV valve or the range sensor actuator ramp.

Throttle cable hooks to the bell crank and will not need any computer calibration. However, if you disconnect it and it moves freely I would question it as the source.

The lights on the dash are all driven off the range sensor, frequently all the mechanical pieces work and still issues with showing park. Change the range sensor then adjust the shift cable to see if your problems disappear.

A Cummins shop just works on the engine, they usually know nothing about the platform. The dealer is the best source for wiring and DTC fixes, a good trans shop will do you much better with the trans issues. They will have seen all these little glitches and know easy and hard fixes and when to apply each. Finding one of those is another journey.

 

[Bob4x4]

Don't forget to look for trans fluid leaking from the trs into the connector giving incorrect readings in the cluster

 

[MojaveJoe]

Thanks for all that good info guys.

But my fears were validated the other night when I picked up my truck after they diagnosed the throttle cable stickiness requiring a new throttle cable. Just to know how they came up with that conclusion after having my truck for 2 full days, I asked the shop foreman (since the diesel mech was gone already) if they had disconnected the throttle valve cable to the trans in order to eliminate the TV as the cause of the throttle stickiness upon WOT for downshift when accelerating. He gave me an odd look like he didn't understand the question, and said let me check with my tech, then walked away. 10 minutes later he comes back and says 'there is no throttle cable to the TV, it's all electronic' in my trans. I just said, "Really? That seems odd." and I walked away.

Couldn't get away from that liar and his diesel tech fast enough. BUT since they claim the throttle cable was stretched out, I may go back and pay them the extra $20 (over my diagnosis charge of $110), just to get a new throttle cable installed for the future.

It's very discomforting to know the only area Dodge dealer has such novices in the service dept. If I still have the problem after throttle cable install I will have a serious sit-down chat with the General Mgr about his service dept. Maybe he will hire a real diesel tech.

 

[cerberusiam]

Makes you wonder if they even opened the hood and checked anything or just sat in it and hit the pedal a couple times.