gear indicator light sensor?

[nikwave]

Hello everyone! my first post after more than 10 years,i just bought a 2004 ,use to have a 96 back in '01.

overall the truck seems fine,just replaced the fuel pump,fluids,some touch up paint and a full clean up in what seemed to be the dog kennel(interior).



So:the indicator light in the dash skips the "N" position,and indicates "R" even when its on neutral. if i hold it the the right spot the "N" appears. i try adjusting the cable under the steering wheel but no luck. where is the actual sensor/switch that gives the signal to the indicator lights?

i was about to buy a "neutral safety switch" for $20 but in not sure if that switch is just for the starter signal. i know is a common problem on dodge trucks but most searches i did were about adjusting the cable at the transmission end and my transmission shifts fine,i dont want to mess it up. thanks in advance!

 

[cerberusiam]

Adjusting the cable under the steering wheel is where the change is made to cure that problem. You may have to try several times to get it right. Best way is put the trans in neutral and adjust cable until the dash indicator shows then fine tune so R and D and the other gears show based on detent. The detent you feel for gears is in the trans not the shifter. You have 2 steps in the shifter linkage; the one to get it out of park, and, one for N and D. You should be able to tune it show N and D correctly and it will line th eother gears up given there is not other wear.

That said, the piece that controls the dash indicator is called a Transmission Range Sensor. It also contains the neutral safety switch and it will listed as such in some automotive supply store books. It is in the same position as th eold neutral safetty switchs so it is easy to find. However, it rarely fails unless it leaks fluid. That could be your problem along with the cable or even the other failure prone piece. The range sensor works off of a set of steps on a plastic piece the at attached to the detent plate on top of the VB. If that piece wears a groove in it then you will never be able to get the gear positions and lights to consistently match up.

Couple of things to check for resolution.

 

[nikwave]

Adjusting the cable under the steering wheel is where the change is made to cure that problem. You may have to try several times to get it right. Best way is put the trans in neutral and adjust cable until the dash indicator shows then fine tune so R and D and the other gears show based on detent. The detent you feel for gears is in the trans not the shifter. You have 2 steps in the shifter linkage; the one to get it out of park, and, one for N and D. You should be able to tune it show N and D correctly and it will line th eother gears up given there is not other wear.



That said, the piece that controls the dash indicator is called a Transmission Range Sensor. It also contains the neutral safety switch and it will listed as such in some automotive supply store books. It is in the same position as th eold neutral safetty switchs so it is easy to find. However, it rarely fails unless it leaks fluid. That could be your problem along with the cable or even the other failure prone piece. The range sensor works off of a set of steps on a plastic piece the at attached to the detent plate on top of the VB. If that piece wears a groove in it then you will never be able to get the gear positions and lights to consistently match up.



Couple of things to check for resolution.

thanks for the detailed explanation ,now i know how to proceed!!

 

[nikwave]

i replaced the transmission range sensor ($23) and now the dash indicator works perfectly,thanks Cerberusiam!

 

[frank1]

Quick question- one of my trucks w/ the auto trans will not start sometimes when the truck is in park. I need to shift the truck to neutral in order for the truck to start. Is my range sensor going also or try adjusting the cable to transmission. Truck has 135,000 miles on it and it's one of my 03's. Thanks - Frank

 

[cerberusiam]

Is it showing park on the dash? Once the range sensor sees park and lights up the P you should be good too start. If not, try adjusting the cable first but if you see all the gears correctly and feel the detents in the correct place, it is likely the range sensor.

 

[frank1]

Cerb. - Yes it shows up in Park, but still will not start. I shift over to Neutral and the "N" does not show but I can start up the truck???

 

[cerberusiam]

Your cable adjustment may be off just enough to keep if from starting in park, or the range sensor is bad. Try adjusting the cable so you see the dash show P and N and it will physically go into park, see if that helps. If not you may need new range sensor.

Make sure the shift lever is snug on the shaft also. I ahd one a while ago the shift lever was mangled enough it would not tighten correctly. It would move enough on the shaft to not see th egears correctly and not start in N.