48re gear indicator

[tjm]

After my new transmission was installed the gear indicator for D, 2, 1 in conjunction with the gear shift lever wasn't always lighting up even though it was in gear. For D the gear shift lever has a bit of play in it. You can wiggle it ever so slightly to get the indicator to light up. The transmission installer even installed a new gear indicator down by the transmission. So I installed a new transmission cable to see if that would help although i sort of new it wouldn't. And I was right. It didn't help. I think the piece of metal that has all the gear detents in the steering column is worn out a bit for D,2 and 1. Has anyone ever replaced that? Do you think thats the culprit? transmission cable installed and adjusted to FSM specs.

 

[Ozymandias]

The problem is 99% the new installed park/neutral switch. All that aftermarket stuff is just crap and OEM isn't available anymore.

Only thing you can do is try another one.
I went with AutoZone so I can return/replace for free every time it fails again...

 

[tjm]

Not opposed to trying that @Ozymandias it will at least verify that the transmission installer did what he said he did. I have no reason to doubt him as he did show me the two switches.

 

[Ozymandias]

He sure did the best he could, like said, no OEM available anymore.

 

[tjm]

Well, new park/Neutral safety switch same issue. Has anyone replaced that piece of metal in the steering column that serves as a detent for the gear lever?

 

[Ozymandias]

That shouldn't have an impact if it is set within the specs as for this you have the rooster comb inside the transmission. This has the detents that keep the shift valve in the proper position and send the position to the cluster.

 

[tjm]

So as i was driving yesterday, I happened to be looking at the gear indicator. and the R light blinked Twice before going back to D.

New transmission - new rooster comb, new park/neutral switch, new transmission cable. Im perplexed

 

[Ozymandias]

Sounds more like a bad connection down to the transmission as this system works with resistance. There are 3 large connectors above the bellhousing, make sure they are all fully seated and latched, clean them with electronics cleaner, do the same with the connector at the P/N switch. Check the ground wires around the engine and that the battery clamps are bolted on solid with no oxidation in-between. There is one ground strap from the back of the engine to the bulkhead, see if was reattached after the transmission swap.

*wild jumping around indicator means wild jumping resistance values. A bad P/N switch mostly shows one off up or down. 2 instead of 1 or N instead of D and so one. Most of the time!

 

[tjm]

ok, cleaned the battery terminals, cleaned all the connectors with contact cleaner, ground strap is there and snug, checked the grounds in the engine bay to chassis - all good. The batter terminals were loose and 1 did need a cleaning. I agree that the P/N switch is just a pot. I don't think the gear indicator is jumping around anymore but it still doesn't illuminate in N, D, or 2 unless I wiggle the gear shifter just right. There is another sensor, I think, at the top end of the transmission cable eyelet that connects to the gear lever and is adjustable with a 2 wire electrical connector. Does anyone know what it is?

 

[Ozymandias]

Park interlock, that's the pin that keeps you from shifting out of Park without pushing the brake peadal.