'96 Dodge Ram 2500 Automatic Transmission (47RE) Dash Gear Position Shift Indicator

[Iron Duke II]

The red/orange indicator does not move from "P" when I shift the vehicle into any position. The transmission selector however does move well through all positions, R, N, D, 2, and 1.

I located adjustment information as follows on a different forum, but not guidance for this specific issue.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-ge.../292406-diy-dashboard-gear-indicator-fix.html

Any relevant recommendations are welcome

 

[BigPapa]

Mine’s messed up, too. Just been too lazy to fix it. Mine is from a wire run by whoever installed the brake controller before I bought the truck that’s running across the string. Have you done any work under the dash lately? May be as simple as that.

I’ve always heard it referred to as a “Prindle”, P-R-N-D-L. That may be a “Ford” thing, though.

 

[Iron Duke II]

No, I haven't any work done on it lately. The vehicle hadn't been on the street in a month until yesterday. Chalk it up to lack of use.

 

[Iron Duke II]

Inactivity?

 

[MaxTune]

Pull the trim ring from around the guages and radio/heater control area. It just pulls off but be gentle. There is a thin wire connecting the shift lever to the indicated pin. It may be broken or just popped off.

 

[MaxTune]

Pull the trim ring off from around the guages and radio/heater area. It just pulls off but be gentle. There is a thin wire connecting the shift lever to the indicator pin. It may be broken or just popped off.

 

[Iron Duke II]

Unfortunately the temp here today is 105 and I'm the caregiver for my spouse going through extended chemo and radiation from current COVID19 times until at least next February. So I'm not sure when I'll get a good opportunity to check it out near term. Thanks, I really appreciate the guidance. Cheers

 

[Iron Duke II]

I am just returning to this annoying little project.
Rather than removing the bezel around dash behind the steering wheel first, I removed the knee panel below the steering column to reveal the tab where the opposite end of selector cable attaches to find a plastic guide bracket that has been torqued and piece of it broken. Not sure just yet if I can JB Weld the broken plastic guide and reuse it.

 

[JKellis]

Mine’s messed up, too. Just been too lazy to fix it. Mine is from a wire run by whoever installed the brake controller before I bought the truck that’s running across the string. Have you done any work under the dash lately? May be as simple as that.

I’ve always heard it referred to as a “Prindle”, P-R-N-D-L. That may be a “Ford” thing, though.

From the TV show Green Acres

 

[Joe Mc]

You can try jb weld it might hold. Not sure what happens to your broken (?) black part when you move the gear selector? Wondering more what happens if you hold it in place and move gear selector. Does the gear indicator move correctly? You should be able to track the piece down in a local u-pull-it yard. Go to yard first so you learn how to not break it taking it out. Good luck.
I know how you feel, I just can't stand when something doesn't work correctly.

 

[DavidC]

If it's plastic be sure to use the stuff for plastic. The regular JB weld does not work so well on plastic.
Amazon product ASIN B009EU5ZMK

 

[gcorron]

I remember Lucy saying that, but that was a LONG, LONG, LONG time ago!
Also, we used to say it for the poor guys that had the 2 speed Chubby automagic transmission, there was no 3rd gear so you only had D and L for forward motion. LONG ago, guys with rails and funny cars would run them because you really didn't have sufficient time to shift anyway.
WOW! Thanks for reminding me how old I am! You wouldn't think it since I certainly was the only guy at my 50th high school reunion who hadn't changed at all since high school!

George