transmission or something else?

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ricb98

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I have a 2002 1500 quad cab with the 5.9l engine. My truck has issues going from drive to reverse this morning. I got it backed in to a spot, and it wouldn't go into park. Now the lever will not go into any other location than drive. The ignition will not turn completely to the off position, so I'm sure the battery will be dead soon as well. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 

crazykid1994

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Climb underneath and see if the shift mechanism didn't slip. Happened to me on my 97. Drive or reverse. No park. Unless drive is still drive on the dash.


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ricb98

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The transmission shift cable is broken. How do I get it into park to replace the cable?
 

crazykid1994

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Gotta go under to the trans and manually move the lever


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ricb98

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Should it just go through the gears? I can get it to go between 2 and D, but doesn't want to go into neutral.
 

crazykid1994

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Are you moving the lever on the trans? It should move through the gears but you may have to have the key in the on position or running with the ebrake on. I don't remember.


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dudeman2009

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2001 1500 Sport with enough electrical modifications to make my brain hurt
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Whatever you do, chock the wheels with proper chocks or at least wood 4x4s with a slight slant cut into them. The last thing anyone on here wants to see or hear is that someone was crushed by their vehicle because it rolled while they were under it.

I always chock my wheels when I go underneath my truck, and it saved my life a month or so ago. My 01 has all steel linkages for the shift lever, and one of the retaining pins broke or fell out and it fell apart and got stuck in park. I chocked the wheels and tried to get it back together without taking it out of park, but it just wouldn't reach. I was parked on flat ground but didn't notice my front tires were partially up on the curb. I pulled it out of park and the truck lurched backwards and pushed the chock about a foot backwards bit in and brought the truck to a halt. I tried to roll under the middle of the truck to get out of the way of the tire, but my shoulder got stuck on the frame rail. When the truck stopped I looked up at the tire and it was inches from crushing my head.

If I hadn't chocked my wheels that day I would've likely been killed despite my truck being off and on flat ground.
 
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ricb98

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I've tried it with the key in the on position. I've tried it with key in the off position. I've tried it with the battery connected, and disconnected. It will not turn on, because it will not go into neutral, or park. It stays between D and D2.

I've seen some places where I have to have the rear of the truck Up off the ground to do this. Do you think that would help? The truck is in my yard, and the ground is soft from all the rain we've had. I'd rather not try that, unless I have to.
 

crazykid1994

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Is your truck 4x4? I would think you should be able to move the shift lever in the trans without jacking up the back but if you do have to lift it throw something under the jacks so they don't sink into the ground. If it's 4x4 throw the transfer case in neutral to release the drive shaft. Just make sure ebrake is on and front wheels are choked off from rolling. Wish I could be more help. Post a picture of the shift mechanism on the trans if you could.
Edit: did you release the shift cable from the trans? If the cable is binding you might not be able to move the trans shifter


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ricb98

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It is 4x4. I tried it with the transfer case in neutral. Still no luck. I'll take a picture when the sun comes up again.
 

crazykid1994

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If you put the tcase in neutral with it choked you should be able to shift it. There is nothing holding the trans anymore. Make sure the linkage is disconnected from the cable and you should be able to shift it. When mine slipped I loosened the linkage and put the trans in park then I moved the column to park and tightened the linkage back up. On my trans there was the shift lever. Attached to the shift lever was a rod held in place by a bolt/set screw. I loosened the bolt/set screw so the shift lever was free.


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