Auto Shift Lever Hard to Shift

[F-15I Ra'am]

Truck is an 06' auto. For awhile now it has been hard to shift from park to drive or any of the gears. It's gotten worse lately. Linkage looks fine. Did a search but couldnt find anything but I seem to remember a post or two awhile back about some parts in the valve body to replace and maybe a t. s. b. about this problem?

 

[HBarlow]

The problem is caused by a small electric interlock switch on the steering column. It is the Park/service brake interlock that requires you to step on the brake in order to shift out of Park position. It gets 12v from the brakelight switch to retract a pin that blocks moving the shifter out of park.

It was provided to you by your all-caring federal government to ensure that if you are stupid, your government won't allow you to pull the shifter into drive or reverse without looking in front of or behind your truck with the engine racing at high rpm.

The switch can simply be physically removed from its mount on the column and if removed it won't interfere with moving the shifter. Just leave the wires connected and zip tie it out of the way.

The park/brake interlock switch failed on my '06 when it had 36,xxx miles on the odometer, just out of warranty. A Dodge mechanic friend unbolted it from its attachment point and zip tied it to the column with the wires still connected. I liked having it disabled so much I had him do the same thing on my '08 when brand new.

 

[cerberusiam]

If its not the interlock on the cable its probably this on the VB.



Sonnax Transmission, Torque Converter, Performance, Driveline Parts :: Transmission :: 22771-12K :: Part Summary

 

[mikeshauling]

The problem is caused by a small electric interlock switch on the steering column. It is the Park/service brake interlock that requires you to step on the brake in order to shift out of Park position. It gets 12v from the brakelight switch to retract a pin that blocks moving the shifter out of park.



It was provided to you by your all-caring federal government to ensure that if you are stupid, your government won't allow you to pull the shifter into drive or reverse without looking in front of or behind your truck with the engine racing at high rpm.



The switch can simply be physically removed from its mount on the column and if removed it won't interfere with moving the shifter. Just leave the wires connected and zip tie it out of the way.



The park/brake interlock switch failed on my '06 when it had 36,xxx miles on the odometer, just out of warranty. A Dodge mechanic friend unbolted it from its attachment point and zip tied it to the column with the wires still connected. I liked having it disabled so much I had him do the same thing on my '08 when brand new.

That was my problem too, it wasnt my valvebody. It was the doomahickey that was under the dash also.

 

[13MWZ]

I had a similar problem, needed a new valve body.

 

[cerberusiam]

I had a similar problem, needed a new valve body.

That was/is the standard fix for those that don't know about the repair kit. The casting wears so it gets replaced. The Sonnax kit will fix the problem permanently if that is the issue.

 

[Pawpaw]

My truck was sometimes hard to get out of park. One day, I came out of the post office and it refused to come out of park.



I gave the lever a good tug (not too hard, but not gentile, either) and felt something hit my leg. It was the interlock. More specifically, parts of the interlock. They were too hot to pick up, so I just left them lying on the floor mat until I got home.



No more problem getting out of park now!



Bob

 

[sid325]

Where in the steering column is the switch and how do I get to it?



Thanks



sid

 

[Pawpaw]

This thread has almost everything I know about the subject:



https://www.turbodieselregister.com.../201358-can-anyone-identify-these-pieces.html



I looked in my '04 manual and it shows the interlock near the top of the steering column, a few inches from the end of the shifter cable. It looks like it attaches to the underside of the column.



I couldn't extract the image, or I would have posted it.



Bob

 

[HBarlow]

From memory only I was thinking it is visible from the right side of the column or center of the truck cab approximately mid-way up the column. It's a small device with two wires (I think) and a small pin that extends from one end to prevent moving the shifter out of park. If you look under the dash at the column and have someone else move the shifter I think you'll see it near the end of the shifter and cable linkage.

 

[RonD]

Mine is a 2005 with the auto trans, it did the same thing 4 months ago, the Dealer said the trans was toast, rebuilt under the 7/70, fine now.

 

[tpicard]

If its not the interlock on the cable its probably this on the VB.



Sonnax Transmission, Torque Converter, Performance, Driveline Parts :: Transmission :: 22771-12K :: Part Summary

My '06 started getting hard to get out of park. I checked the interlock and its ok. With the interlock taken off the cable assembly the truck is still ruff getting out of park. It will free up for a couple of cycles but then starts hanging up again. I suspect the problem is in the VB.

Is this kit the repair? I ask, as under the complaints, this problem is not listed.

Any idea of the cost of the kit?

If I were to remove the VB and install the sonnax kit is there any other procedures I should preform while the VB is on the bench?

TIA

T

 

[cerberusiam]

Yes, this kit will fix the problem of the VB casting wearing and causing it to hang in gear. The 06 VB's seem to be problematic for this as the casting is a little soft right there where the ball rides.



You can find the kit here:

Sonnax transmission parts,A518 A618 46RH 46RE 47RE transmission parts



and its pretty reasonable. The reamer is the expensive piece.



While you got the VB out its time for a shift kit, upgrade band strut and anchor, and billet front servo cover.

 

[JApol]

I had the same problem with it getting out of park. So the dealer replaced the valvebody and they did something in the process that killed the interlock. I don't mind.

 

[JFought]

06



they messeed with the cable about three times i delt with it 30K, then it got real bad about 60K so the did a VB at the same time they replaced the gauge cluster for rpm gauage inaccurate/crazy!!

 

[tpicard]

My truck is out of warranty,3/36. I have any extended warranty but it is not with Chrysler. I took the truck by a local trans shop today and they diagnosed it as a problem with the park rod and qouted $200 to fix it. Warranty should cover it less the $100 deductable. I have an appointment for monday. I will have the trans serviced also for an additional $130. I felt it was a fair qoute and he has a very good rep. in the area as a trans builder.