Transmission Recall is Inadequate!!!!

[steved]

I always used the parking brake in my 99, for two reasons...



The transmission will not pump fluid if it is in park and idling... I didn't like that idea, so parking brake and nuetral.



The parking brake cables on all my 70s/80s dodge trucks would seize up if not used (and they check that for the state inspection in PA) so I got into the habit of setting the brake to keep the cables free.



I don't like the idea of "freewheeling" trucks... I don't own an auto, but for every single manual that is sold here in PA, it seems like 1000 autos are sold... makes me leary about parking near another dodge truck...



steved

 

[jwduke]

Only problem with using the parking brake is, if you park your truck after running in frozen slush, it will freeze to the rotor.



I had it happen back in Feb. , hard to bust loose.

 

[FJfonda]

I have driven manual trans cars/trucks for most of my life. Setting the parking brake is second nature. I have always felt that on an auto --- the Park position of the shifter should be interlocked by the parking brake. That is, the parking brake needs to be on to get into the Park position. And like the GM's... . I also like the auto disengagement of the parking brake upon selecting the Drive position.

 

[BHolm]

... makes me leary about parking near another dodge truck...



steved

Power of the media How many millions of these trucks are out there, and have been for years. Now all the sudden they jump out of park and off they go? Please... ...



Just make sure it is in park for gods sake. Since when do manufacturers have to idiot proof EVERYTHING You should be letting it cool down after running it anyway.

 

[steved]

Power of the media How many millions of these trucks are out there, and have been for years. Now all the sudden they jump out of park and off they go? Please... ...



Just make sure it is in park for gods sake. Since when do manufacturers have to idiot proof EVERYTHING You should be letting it cool down after running it anyway.

Well, not even a few years ago the same thing happened with the Jeep. And guys physically placing the shifter in park and the truck is rolling. I believe this was on the new 5spd auto they had developed. Maybe not every truck is affected, but there are those that are affected...



And the manufacturers DO need to idiotproof everything... if you need proof, just come to my neck of the woods for rush hour... why do you need computerized traction control, computerized rollover protection, antilock brakes, etc... for those out there that can't/shouldn't drive.



And just for the record, I do let mine cool down...



steved

 

[BHolm]

And the manufacturers DO need to idiotproof everything... if you need proof, just come to my neck of the woods for rush hour... why do you need computerized traction control, computerized rollover protection, antilock brakes, etc... for those out there that can't/shouldn't drive.



steved

No... idiot proofing will not work because you just can't fix "stupid". We have "dumbed down" driving to the point where some would consider all of the modern complexities necessary. I didn't used to be that way, it doesn't have to be either.



Sounds like your rush hour could stand to see some "natural selection" taking place :-laf

 

[cerberusiam]

And the manufacturers DO need to idiotproof everything

Hmm, does that mean that leaving a manual in neutral and not setting the brake is not idiot proof? Just think about that for a minute and come up with a way to stop a person from exiting a vehicle without making sure it is secured. We already have switches to keep the engine from starting unless the clutch is disengaged, netral safety switch to keep engine from starting in gear, and now you have to depress the brake to get the auto out of park. How many more electrical thigns to keep us from using our BRAINS do we need? I have tried every way conceivable to keep my 05 auto from not engaging park when the shift lever is in the park detent(yes there is a very noticeable detent for park). Folks, it can't be done unless there is an adjustment problem on the vehicle or one tosses all common sense out the window. Further more, properly adjusted the little square box around the gear is only as accurate as the needles we have had for 50 years, QUIT LOOKING AT IT AND PUT THE LEVER IN THE PARK POSITION!



I'm with bholm on this, everything is getting blown of of proportion due to operator error and the intent of those few trying to assign blame elsewhere. DC is right, once it is in park it ain't coming out unless there is abuse or neglect present. I have had kids playing around and pull the lever out of park, the dog kick the T-case into neutral, and even misadjusted linkage cause problems, but, in 30 years of driving these trucks with autos I have never had one come out of park if properly engaged. If you have ever stuck one of these trucks on a steep incline in park and had to pull it back to get it out of park you would understand.



The title of this post is a perfect example. Its always a design flaw, or its something unacceptable about the way its built, or its poor workmanship, etc, etc, it is never "I screwed up and look what happened". For those that had their trucks try to run over them, bash another car, run over fire hydrants, etc, I am truly sorry you had a problem, but, until there is solid repeatable proof that this thing IS a design flaw please think about posting claims that only serve to inflame. This stuff has a habit of escalating into things that cost us more and take more maintenance. For example, compaints about noise have got us worse mileage, drive line noise has given us the DMF.



Unfortunately everything I have read to date indicates the first post on this subject, "Recal for Dummies", is entirely accurate. After all, thats what the parking brake is for.

 

[dlmartin]

Obviously the perfect and "operators" manual. thing to do is to use the parking brake every single time you exit the vehicle. But the "idiot" who who designed the linkage has some responsibility to insure that when the trans is in Park it is not going to Reverse. A 1948 "Selectoshift" Dodge would stay in the gear the indicator said it was in!

 

[Vudumedman]

If this were some Jap crap would we be so quick to condemn the manufacturer? I've neverhad a problem with my transmission or shifter. I never use the parking brake (Grew up in Ohio in 50's and old habits are hard to break) and I jump out of my truck several times a day with absolutely no problems! If it's American made (even Mexican assembled) we think they must have screwed up!

Bottom line is: Make sure it is in PARK, take responsibility for your own actions, enjoy/lament the results. NOT FLAMING ANYONE!

 

[NavyDood]

The transmission will not pump fluid if it is in park and idling... I didn't like that idea, so parking brake and nuetral.

Good point. I just recently learned about this. I guess if it is the first start of the day, there really is no problem, but if the transmission has been worked, then that might be a bad thing.

 

[rbattelle]

Make sure it is in PARK, take responsibility for your own actions

I have never had one come out of park if properly engaged

What if some trucks have a fundamental flaw in them preventing the driver from properly engaging park?



-Ryan

 

[2broke2smoke]

then the Amerihost Inn parking lot would have been a very dangerous place during indy last year ...

 

[TCrouch]

I have had the same problem. Did you file a complaint with the NHTSA http://www.nhtsa.gov ?

 

[Nightram]

I hate to say this, but this kind of stuff makes me glad I got the 6-speed! No if I could just get this oil pressure guage to work right, we would be all set!

 

[CPG]

This is not a minor thing with so many people having this problem. Myself, I have to be very careful that my transmission goes into park & of course firmly set the handbrake before shutting off.

Again, I have mentioned this problem to my Dodge dealer during my service schedules with apparently no concern on their part.

The KDP problem on the old models is another denial of responsibility from the beginning.

 

[lethal injection]

Gee I am really starting to regret I bought a diesel that may run away from me or try to run me over and if it does not suceeed it will probably leave me stranded somewhere when the pump dies.





Thanks dodge your the best!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TCrouch]

Ok! I will start useing the parking brake. However: someone is going to get killed again!! I would find it hard to live with myself if my wife or son was driving the truck and forgot to put the brake on and the truck ran over someone. This is a safety problem!!! Too the guy that said shut of the truck evertime you leave the cab, he must not live on a farm where you are opening and closing gates all day!! I can't wait until Toyota gets its 2007 diesel on the market!!!

 

[MRosinski]

My 05' has a sloppy shifter. When I plow it gets real annoying. When I throw it into reverse it dosent kick into gear sometimes until your half way into park. It will show it in reverse but its actually in neutral. Dealer said they couldnt recreate the situation so it must be operator error. It's scary that a 12 year old chevy has a better shifter than a 1 year old dodge.

 

[hasselbach]

Only problem with using the parking brake is, if you park your truck after running in frozen slush, it will freeze to the rotor.



I had it happen back in Feb. , hard to bust loose.

Couldn't you just wait until June when it warms up to free the rotors?

 

[MasterChief]

Thanks Everyone

All,



Thanks for the great forum. I recently signed up with TDR.

I had problems getting my truck into park from day one. I took it into the dealer and they made some linkage adjustments, I have not had any further problems. More importantly, I pull a travel trailer and find my self between the trailer and truck often. After reading everyones feedback you can bet I will be using my parking break.