Intermittent Problem With Rotary Shifter

bjennings · Mar 24, 2014

I've had this truck for 4 months now and have had a problem with the rotary shifter. Three times now i've pulled up to a traffic light or stop sign, go to step on the gas and nothing happens. The light above the D on the rotary shifter is blinking and I had to put it into park and back into drive to continue. Took it into the dealership today and on my way there same thing happened only this time it wouldn't let me shift to park and I had to turn the truck off and restart it.( in the middle of a three lane highway no less) Dealer said that nothing was coding and it didn't happen on their test drive so they don't know what the problem is. Has anyone else experienced this or know what the problem may be?
Many Thanks
2014 RAM 1500 5.7 hemi 8 speed tranny

Ramzaq · Mar 24, 2014

Doubt it is the rotary shifter, sounds more like the transmission control module.

ram1500 hemi · Jun 29, 2014

have the same problem with my 2014 1500 was able to video it on my phone, and show it to the dealer where I got the truck they had to call the engineers at dodge and they had no answer as to why it was doing it, just told me to drive it till it done it again, like you I was in traffic the first time it done it, seems like they are not to worried about fixing it.

want_cummins · Jun 29, 2014

i've had them act up when first starting the truck and trying to shift into gear. i believe all the gear light lit up and a service message popped up on evic. threw a MIL and has to restart truck to shift into gear

(S.M.R) 101 · Jun 29, 2014

Never does it while in drive but probably 4 times or more now, when I go to back into a parking space I will come to a stop turn the knob into reverse and hit the gas and get nothing.. When I look at the knob the R light is blinking. I have to shift into N and then back into R and it will go.. Not really sure why and haven't really investigated much but I think your problem is a lot more serious than mine.

BossHogg · Jun 30, 2014

ram1500 hemi said:
the engineers at dodge and they had no answer as to why it was doing it, just told me to drive it till it done it again, like you I was in traffic the first time it done it, seems like they are not to worried about fixing it.

Wow, and the world criticizes GM because the ignition turns off when too much weight is hanging on the key chain.

This is a safety issue and if my dealer told me that, I'd get it in writing. Demand your dealer instrument your vehicle so the issue can be captured.

BlownGP · Jun 30, 2014

BossHogg said:
Wow, and the world criticizes GM because the ignition turns off when too much weight is hanging on the key chain.

This is a safety issue and if my dealer told me that, I'd get it in writing. Demand your dealer instrument your vehicle so the issue can be captured.

I know right.

This sounds pretty bad. Gotta love new tech. I don't understand why they couldn't put the shifter from the V6 charger and 300s in the ram.

ramdad · Sep 25, 2017

bjennings said:
I've had this truck for 4 months now and have had a problem with the rotary shifter. Three times now i've pulled up to a traffic light or stop sign, go to step on the gas and nothing happens. The light above the D on the rotary shifter is blinking and I had to put it into park and back into drive to continue. Took it into the dealership today and on my way there same thing happened only this time it wouldn't let me shift to park and I had to turn the truck off and restart it.( in the middle of a three lane highway no less) Dealer said that nothing was coding and it didn't happen on their test drive so they don't know what the problem is. Has anyone else experienced this or know what the problem may be?
Many Thanks
2014 RAM 1500 5.7 hemi 8 speed tranny

Did you ever get this problem solved? My 13 Ram 5.7 8 spd. is doing the same thing and the my dealer has never seen this before.
What was the solution?
Thanks,
Robert

RamCares · Sep 27, 2017

ramdad said:
Did you ever get this problem solved? My 13 Ram 5.7 8 spd. is doing the same thing and the my dealer has never seen this before.
What was the solution?
Thanks,
Robert

Hi Robert,

I'm sorry to hear about this. I checked on our end for technical service bulletins or STAR cases and unfortunately did not find anything matching the symptoms described. If you decide to re-visit your Ram dealership for any further diagnostics, please feel free to let us know, and we will follow up as well.

Kori
Ram Social Care Specialist

J Ault · Apr 22, 2018

I just bought a 2018 about 5 weeks back and now with less than 1000 miles and mine has done this 3 different times. Going in yet again Monday to demand a new shifter be installed (after a software reboot the last time?) As many posts as Ive seen on- line, I have a hard time believing Ram has no idea about this.

Hydrasport · Apr 22, 2018

Although this is a 2014 thread, there are a few current posts similar to this issue. The dealer and factory have never heard of such an issue and it appears to be an issue that has been around since 2014.

J Ault · Apr 23, 2018

I dropped it off this morning and again they say the shift link chip is not synched with the main brain. They are going to replace the shifter...we will see. I will report findings once Ive driven it for awhile.

RamCares · Apr 24, 2018

J Ault said:
I just bought a 2018 about 5 weeks back and now with less than 1000 miles and mine has done this 3 different times. Going in yet again Monday to demand a new shifter be installed (after a software reboot the last time?) As many posts as Ive seen on- line, I have a hard time believing Ram has no idea about this.

Hi J Ault,

We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing this concern with your new Ram. Please message us with your VIN and mileage so that we can document on your behalf and assist further.

Darlene
Ram Social Care Specialist

Charles Edwin · Dec 27, 2018

I have a 2018 Ram. I've experienced the same problem a dozen times. Mostly when I'm launching my boat. Truck, trailer, and boat are on an incline. Truck won't **** to drive after launching. This is a giant problem when 20 other people are waiting in line. Has anyone found a solution?

Musky Mike · Dec 27, 2018

It’s a problem on 2019s too, if you’re in a safe spot, record it and take it to the dealer and insist they send it to Ram.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/transmission-won’t-shift-out-of-park.132201/

Charles Edwin · Dec 27, 2018

RamCares said:
Hi J Ault,

We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing this concern with your new Ram. Please message us with your VIN and mileage so that we can document on your behalf and assist further.

Darlene
Ram Social Care Specialist

Hi Darlene, I have had this problem multiple times with my 2018 Ram . My VIN # is 1C6RR7NT9HS706478 I have 35,090 miles on my truck. This problem has happened at least a dozen times in the past year. It has happened most often when I am launching my boat. I.E. Truck, Boat and trailer are on an incline. After boat is launched, I cannot shift into drive. Light just blinks. As you can imagine, this is both hazardous and frustrating. Hazardous, because I cannot do anything but try and go forward. Frustrating, because I'm in a brand new truck that wont "go" while 20 other guys are waiting to launch. On one occasion I was stranded for 15 minutes. My dealership acts clueless.

hotrod45 · Dec 27, 2018

I don't know if this is applicable to any of the problems cited, but I do know how to replicate the flashing indicator on the shifter. Generally speaking, it will occur when moving the truck back and forth just inches/barely moving, and then moving the shift knob without stepping on the brake first. The key to it is not stepping on the brake. No brake = flashing indicator.

Ratket · Dec 27, 2018

Charles Edwin said:
I have a 2018 Ram. I've experienced the same problem a dozen times. Mostly when I'm launching my boat. Truck, trailer, and boat are on an incline. Truck won't **** to drive after launching. This is a giant problem when 20 other people are waiting in line. Has anyone found a solution?

Um.... you are a better person than I... if it hosed me on a boat launch ramp “ let alone in traffic with my family in the car” then I would be dropping my boat at home and headed to trade it in. On the plus side my wife wouldn’t even think twice about it, but sadly she prolly wouldn’t let us near another Ram family product. I’m sorry you guys have to deal with this.

hotrod45 · Dec 27, 2018

Well, my description wasn't exactly right, but I went out and played with the truck a little and here's what I found. You need to touch the brake pedal enough, I'd guess, to have the brake lights come on, but not enough to actuate the brakes. The truck needs to be just barely moving, say in neutral, and if it's rolling forward, put it in drive. If it's rolling slightly back, put it in reverse. Either time, you'll get the flashing indicator and it will not engage the transmission until you apply the brakes to stop the motion. It takes a very light touch on the brake pedal and it seems like it's catching some sequential operation in the middle, causing it to think the vehicle is not under control, maybe.

huntergreen · Dec 27, 2018

J Ault said:
I just bought a 2018 about 5 weeks back and now with less than 1000 miles and mine has done this 3 different times. Going in yet again Monday to demand a new shifter be installed (after a software reboot the last time?) As many posts as Ive seen on- line, I have a hard time believing Ram has no idea about this.

Have you checked for codes ?

Intermittent Problem With Rotary Shifter

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