2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission What's wrong?

[JRihani]

I'm able to shift my truck into gear (automatic) without depressing the brake pedal. Can someone tell me what's "broken" and how to fix it?



Thanks!

 

[DF5152]

are you talking about the safety lock out that prevents you from shifting without the brake applied?

 

[keimmmo]

I was not aware that Dodge used such a thing on our trucks. My 01. 5 has never had it.



Steve Keim

 

[JRihani]

Guys,



I guess. Every automatic vehicle I've ever owned (including Chrysler) required the brake to be applied before shifting out of park. I was distracted as I was starting the truck up yesterday and just pulled the truck into drive without the brake applied (and with normal effort). I did it again to confirm that it wasn't a fluke.



Any ideas?

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

I know my 94 didn't have that feature, just shift and go. I row the gears in the 2001 so I can't be much help there. I hate having to put the foot on the brake to shift the transmission.

 

[ntillm01]

I'd have to look at a service manual to be sure, but the column-shift autos typically don't have that safety interlock system. It is there in more-prone-to-be-bumped console-shift automatics.

I've never tested mine to see if it does shift out of gear without brake apply. Foot's always on the brake before I shift out of park anyway.

 

[JRihani]

Well, I guess there might not be anything wrong! Thanks for all of the input. Yes, I also always have my foot on the brake when shifting out of park but I had just put a load in the bed and had a moment of brain fade while looking over my shoulder to check it out.



Thanks for all of the input!

 

[Joe G.]

I tried it on our '99 Chrysler LHS. It will shift out of park without a foot on the brake. It's a consol mounted shift lever.

 

[TinyInOhio]

Never had to press brake to get truck in gear.

 

[CEdwards]

I've always had to press the brake on my 94 until today. something broke and now you can just flop the shifter through all the gears and not feel anykind of stop. I'm afraid if I hit a bump or accidentally bump it going down the highway I might knock it into reverse or park. any ideas?

 

[Joe G.]

can just flop the shifter through all the gears and not feel anykind of stop.

The stop you feel is a ball on a spring in the valve body. It presses into a notch on the shifter. It you feel nothing between gears then something is broke. I may be a chuck knocked out of the VB casting that retains the spring and ball. You can't check it without takeing the VB out. If there is a ball and/or a coil spring in the pan that is a bad sign. The spring may be jammed so it's not pushing the ball properly.

 

[CEdwards]

It's just meant to hold the shifter in place right? or is it going to tear something up inside the transmission? I was hoping it was just something on the column that broke. I didn't realize it was in the valve body. I crawled underneath and moved the lever on the transmission very very easily back and forth. Is it drivable?

 

[Joe G.]

I really think you should find out exactly what is wrong before taking a chance on it. How do you know you have the shifter in exactly the right position? The dash indicator is controlled by a thin little cable attached to a flimsy, easy to bend lever. It really has nothing to do with what gear the trans is in. It's adjustable by just bending the lever with your fingers.