URGENT: Run Away 3rd Gen Trucks

[Pawpaw]

NHTSA.gov shows there have been 50 complaints of these trucks jumping out of park and running away.



On mine, I feel it's just a matter of time. If I don't push it FIRMLY into park, the indicator won't light up. When that happens, I can pull the lever out of park without stepping on the brake.



I try to set the parking brake every time, but you know how us old f@rts are. We sometimes forget.



Bob

 

[WMcGuire]

If memory don't fail me, I think Ford had a similar problem back in the 80's, I watched a guy chasing his p/u after it took off one day, I think there was a recall on it.



As for the 6 spd and parking brake solution, the Dodge parking brake is pretty useless in an emergency, to set it you have to take it out of gear and then take your foot off the clutch, to get the rig moving going uphill it can't be released slowly, I suspect none of the engineers at DC ever drove a truck, let alone a manual transmission, sure wish sometimes I had a parking brake lever like in my Honda.

 

[nickleinonen]

Doesn't anyone set a parking brake anymore?

:-laf



i was thinking the same... i always use the parking brake in all the vehicles in we have... but the parking brake in pop's silverado is not good... it goes to the floor like nothing and won't hold drive...

 

[Rotty]

When I moved to the NW I had to use to parking brake period. I just got into the habit. Auto or stick doesn't matter.

I always set the parking brake hard enough so if you forget to releases it the vehicle still is not moving.

 

[Pawpaw]

As for the 6 spd and parking brake solution, the Dodge parking brake is pretty useless in an emergency, to set it you have to take it out of gear and then take your foot off the clutch, to get the rig moving going uphill it can't be released slowly, I suspect none of the engineers at DC ever drove a truck, let alone a manual transmission, sure wish sometimes I had a parking brake lever like in my Honda.

I can release my parking brake slowly. Is this a difference between the auto and 6-shooter or did they change something between '04 and '04. 5?



DC has had this problem before. In January or February, I got a recall notice for my 97 Intrepid. Just checked the nhtsa web site and it says 2315768 vehicles are involved in that recall.



Bob

 

[dezeldog]

I had my 03 run away and hit a tree. It was about 2k damage bumper, gate, floor panand oneside had to be bumped. I thought it ws in p and got of the truckand awat it went

 

[Texasrattler]

I only use park when I shut it off. I use neutral when idling and set emer-brake. The transmission fluid circulates through the cooler in neutral.



Pete

 

[nickleinonen]

As for the 6 spd and parking brake solution, the Dodge parking brake is pretty useless in an emergency, to set it you have to take it out of gear and then take your foot off the clutch, to get the rig moving going uphill it can't be released slowly, I suspect none of the engineers at DC ever drove a truck, let alone a manual transmission, sure wish sometimes I had a parking brake lever like in my Honda.

i don't get what you are saying really? i don't even think of the brake as an emergency brake... it is a parking brake to me... as for starting on an uphill, you don't need the parking/emergency brake at all... just hold the service brakes, in 1st, start letting the clutch out, once you feel it start to grab, release the service brake and continue letting up on the clutch until it is fully engaged... low first gear + lots of idle torque = no throttle starts on even steep hills...

 

[DPKetchum]

Got a buddy with a 03 48re and his shifter won't stay in park at times and will come out of park key off etc. Dealer quoted him $350 plus in parts and he figured out they didn't have a clue to the problem and was going to shotgun parts at it. He wanted to know excatly what was wrong with shifter and not a guess. Anyhow I'm sending him a link to this thread.

 

[Okey0]

my old man used to tell me NOT to use the parking brake during the winter, as it could freeze up and not release. Like most other times in life however, I didn't listen to him



I usually set the park brake, put the truck in Nuetral to make sure just the park brake holds, then put it in park. I have a steep drive, and the '98 gasser i had rolled down it one day.

 

[RLighthall]

lol - I sure hope he payed his $7 launching fee...

Does the truck and the boat count as one launch, or does he owe $14?

 

[EMD-Run8]

Is this a shift selector problem or a TCM problem? Makes me glad I have sixxer... .....

 

[DPKetchum]

I bet a shifter problem. From reading the posts it sounds like a shifter problem. My buddys truck its in the shifter.

 

[TimG]

This particular thing hasn't happened to, but someone that goes to church with my parents, had it happen to them this past Saturday. The truck is a 4x4 like mine only a 05. It was left running in Park, it went out a driveway and across the street and into a ditch, where it received alot of damage to one side of the bed. DC is supposed to send a representive out look at the truck.

I had a problem with mine a few months ago while in Montana. I put the shift lever into Park, but couldn't turn the iginition off. I got out of the truck with the Parking Brake set, and my backup lights where on. I then moved the truck into another parking spot, and inso doing bumped a parking log, at this time I was able to put it into Park and turn the ignition off with no more problems.

I think it may be time to take it in to the dealer for a look.

 

[nickleinonen]

It was left running in Park, it went out a driveway and across the street and into a ditch,

exactally why vehicles come equipped with parking brakes... it would have saved you from damage. the engine idling in gear [forward or reverse] usually can not overcome the resistance of the parking brake

 

[DPKetchum]

I use mine EVERY time. Turn signals also. That seems rare compared to the other drivers I encounter daily.

 

[macdaddy]

i don't get what you are saying really? i don't even think of the brake as an emergency brake... it is a parking brake to me... as for starting on an uphill, you don't need the parking/emergency brake at all... just hold the service brakes, in 1st, start letting the clutch out, once you feel it start to grab, release the service brake and continue letting up on the clutch until it is fully engaged... low first gear + lots of idle torque = no throttle starts on even steep hills...

I agree with this method totally. No throttle needed for starting off any angle . As for the parking brake the drums only employ one shoe for the holding power, while the rear disc equipped trucks have the full inner drum with dual holding shoes. This is a much better design and allows for a much better holding capability.



Mac

 

[PHeadings]

ADJUST E-BRAKE AND USE IT EVERYTIME YOU PARK! Very hard on a auto transmission, using it as a e-brake. We could put 8000Lb on your back and see how long you can hold it.

 

[bighornram]

6 speed-



#ad

OH MY!!!!! :--) :{

 

[TimG]

I had a problem with mine a few months ago while in Montana. I put the shift lever into Park, but couldn't turn the iginition off. I got out of the truck with the Parking Brake set, and my backup lights where on. I then moved the truck into another parking spot, and inso doing bumped a parking log, at this time I was able to put it into Park and turn the ignition off with no more problems.

I think it may be time to take it in to the dealer for a look.









I took my truck in to the Dealer yesterday. Although they couldn't get the truck to repeat the scenerio I previously encountered, they said the ignition switch was faulty. With the 3 year/36000 mile warranty now lapsed, I decided to wait and see if it would happen again before changing the switch.