auto transmission questions

[ecv2001]

I just bought a le 250 with auto trans. The gear selecter when going from park to drive has no protection from accidentally bumping the selecter to another gear. Real smooth feeling like the linkage is'nt even hooked up.

Although everything seems to work I was wondering if my steering colu need to be replaced. Also the hazzard flasher knob is snapped off in the column.

any info would be good.

Thanks jim c

 

[1stgen4evr]

Shifter problem

Don't know which would be worse, yours or mine. I have to jerk mine from park. The detent part is in the transmission and I think is the first thing that is loaded and the rest of the trany built around it. I don't think the problem is in the column. Probable going to a transmission shop before your are done.



There are screws that come in from the bottom of the cover around the four way flasher/steering column. The cover is upper and lower half. Remove them and the four way switch is right there. Replace the switch and put the cover back on. Happy trails.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[ecv2001]

I will check out the column when I get home. Thanks.

jim c

 

[Philip]

Sounds like the slide collar on the inside of the column has frozen up. This collar moves the shift tube down and moves the linkage to the trans. If the collar doesn't move. It will cause binding on the detents for the trans linkage that are in the top of the column. If you have a manual the page to look at is 19-39 figure 13 shows a half a## pic of what I am talking about. This is in a 93 manual.



While you have the covers off the column. Try putting a little oil around where the lever goes into see if you can get it freed up.



I have seen this on all forms of auto's and trucks over the years. The Ford F series and Chevy C's seemed to be the worst to do this.



If it won't free up this way. Then you will need to take the column apart to clean and reoil everything. Not a good job on a Dodge. They have the hardest column's to take apart.

 

[Philip]

Here is a pic. I hope you can make it out.

 

[ecv2001]

the column needs some attention, It is a tilt column and quite sloppy.

I will buy a manual soon. But now i must replace the alternator as that went out while trying to get home. The truck sat for a year and a half and will need some bugs worked out.

Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Philip]

A loose tilt column is caused by someone using it as a grab handle and pulling themselfs up into the cab.



Most of the time parts for tilt column can run into some money. You might want to start looking for a used column somewhere.

 

["Mad Max"]

if memory serves the detent locaters in the column are a bolt-in piece, which you may be able to replace only and not the whole column. While yer in there go ahead and replace the non-OD lever with the 2nd gen lever - for that nice fingertip od on-off ability. Way nice.

- S

 

[dan brooks]

Steering column on eBay - click here.

 

[ecv2001]

My truck does'nt have O. D. How would a second gen overdrive work on my truck?

Also tried to find a manual for the first gen dodge diesel and had no luck. Any idea how to get one and were and how much.

jim c