difficulty shifting

[CClements]

I have trouble getting the transmission to shift from park. For some reason the lever just wont move. This happens at random times. Any ideas?

 

[Duluth Diesel]

Don't have an auto, but I have seen this problem with a Ford Taurus. On that car, when you hit the brake pedal, a solinoid was triggered to allow the auto shifter to move. The solinoid started to go bad and sometimes you could shift into gear, and sometimes it would not let you. After a couple weeks of that, it finally died completely and we had it towed. Fixed under warranty. So if your Dodge has a similar system, which is likely, I'd check into that. Make the dealer warranty it.

 

[Bertram65]

Sometime I have noticed the brake interlock can delay for a second when shifting out of park, I just let off the brake press it again and then it shifts to drive fine.

 

[SOLER]

Torque Lock

It may be torque lock. If you park on an incline, and put it in park, as soon as you let off the brakes the truck will "settle" against the locking mechanism in the transmission. To avoid this, before shifting into park, set the parking brake real well and let off the brakes to see if it will hold. Then, select park.



When you're ready to go again, hold the service brakes, shift into drive (or reverse), and then release the parking brake.



Your owner's manual addresses this.



SOLER

 

[WWalters]

I had this same problem with my 2002. Check out dodgeram.org>main>tech>maintenance>at shift linkage adjustment. I also sprayed some grease on all of the shift linkage points. When the factory sprayed the undercoating on the truck, they put quite a bit on the transmission shift linkage. The grease seemed to help. Also, usage helped loosen things up. When parking, I shift into neutral, put the parking brake on; then shift into park even on level ground. When I get ready to take off, I shift into neutral, start the truck and then release the parking brake. After all of the above, most of the time it shifts good; occassionally I still have a problem - just have to play with it a little.

 

[rbattelle]

Originally posted by WWalters

When parking, I shift into neutral, put the parking brake on; then shift into park even on level ground. When I get ready to take off, I shift into neutral, start the truck and then release the parking brake. After all of the above, most of the time it shifts good; occassionally I still have a problem - just have to play with it a little.

This is good practice. Having rebuilt an automatic before, I cannot understand why anyone would trust their vehicle and the safety of others to the park pawl. Even your owner's manual says you should always set the parking brake. Always.