2017 RAM hemi - steering column locked in Neutral

[slade25]

After being parked 2-3 days, went to start up the truck as per usual (foot on the brake before shifting into gear) and the shifter would only go as far as Neutral. Slipped it back into Park and made the mistake (possibly) of shutting it off. btw, my RAM has a key fob and shifter is on the steering column.

Gave it a minute and started it back up, but this time I couldn't shift in beyond Reverse. Tried pumping the brake, no go. Shut it off again and the ignition key fob would not turn to the off position, however it did stop the engine. Wondering about steering cable or linkage.

Anywho, I am stuck in Neutral, cannot remove the key fob from the ignition and the truck power remains on, yes the engine is stopped. Had to disconnect the battery to avoid continuous power on and eventual drainage. (see pics)

Read up on Emergency Transmission Release and the Shift Lock Override Mechanism.
Removed the far right panel just above the emergency brake and it appears that I do not have a SLOM or a button to push in that location (as per Youtube description) to hopefully do an override. Seems odd that I would not have that capability (or i'm not in looking in the right place)? (see pics)

Much appreciate any advice before I have to call a tow truck.

 

[crash68]

Read up on Emergency Transmission Release and the Shift Lock Override Mechanism.
Removed the far right panel just above the emergency brake and it appears that I do not have a SLOM or a button to push in that location

That is for the 8spd trucks with the dial shifter, those transmissions are shift by wire.
Your 6spd still has shift linkage to the transmission.

 

[Burla]

It could be shifter linkage doohicky, because the pins aren't cotter they are known to fall out. Since it is in neutral, I do not know if this is the issue, unless somehow the pin came out when you were in neutral? If this ends up being the issue, make the new pin cotter so it doesn't happen again. You exact histology doesn't match this, but it is a known issue and perhaps "might" be the problem, it is a known issue.

Part 1/2: 45RFE, 545RFE, 65RFE and 68RFE transmission shifter/linkage will not move

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youtu.be

 

[slade25]

Thank you, sounding like a job for a professional. Wondering if i should be connecting the battery up when I call CAA for a tow truck?

 

[Wild one]

Thank you, sounding like a job for a professional. Wondering if i should be connecting the battery up when I call CAA for a tow truck?

Yes

 

[Burla]

Thank you, sounding like a job for a professional. Wondering if i should be connecting the battery up when I call CAA for a tow truck?

If you can go under truck, anyone can do that drop a valve body. But since it may or may not be the issue, maybe you are right. If it were me< I would investigate a little more before towing it to the shop. GL with it

 

[RamDiver]

Yes

Why would you connect the battery before towing?

I would be concerned the truck would be delivered to a stealership and then sit for 2 or 3 days.
When they find the time for it, the battery would be deeply discharged and only useful as a big paperweight.

.

 

[Wild one]

Why would you connect the battery before towing?

I would be concerned the truck would be delivered to a stealership and then sit for 2 or 3 days.
When they find the time for it, the battery would be deeply discharged and only useful as a big paperweight.

.

Why wouldn't you reconnect the battery,if it goes dead,then they know it has a parasitic drain that needs to be fixed.Usually the dumbest thing you can do is disconnect a battery before sending it in,as that f u b a r s reading any codes it might have set.

 

[Wild one]

Thank you, sounding like a job for a professional. Wondering if i should be connecting the battery up when I call CAA for a tow truck?

Can you remove the key after the battery disconnect.

 

[RamDiver]

Why wouldn't you reconnect the battery,if it goes dead,then they know it has a parasitic drain that needs to be fixed.Usually the dumbest thing you can do is disconnect a battery before sending it in,as that f u b a r s reading any codes it might have set.

I understand your thinking.

For myself, I would hope I'm still physically/mentally capable enough to sort this out myself before using a stealership. I need to find a 'new to me, trusted shop' after my local guy retired.

If he were still in business and I was facing this sort of challenge, I could just make notes for him. It seems to me that I've already done something similar with him for a past vehicle issue.

.

 

[Jeepwalker]

That entire column shift mechanism has been known to fail (cast parts break). Lot of owners over the yrs have had to replace them. It's a DIY job for many owners. Or sometimes the cable gets out of position. But often the whole assembly needs replacing. It's not a terrible job ..based on the tutorials I've watched. Head over to Y/T and type in Ram gear shift problems... should be a good number of videos on it. And/or do searches on this forum. It's not an uncommon thing. You don't have any crazy dash lights flasing do you??

I think RockAuto and Amazon sell replacements.

 

[slade25]

Can you remove the key after the battery disconnect.

No

 

[Wild one]

No

Sounds more like a WIN module problem if the key still won't come out after a battery disconnect.Google WIN module repairs,there's lots of video's on doing a home repair on it.

 

[slade25]

thanks for the advice, the vehicle has gone to the dealership. Hopefully my extended warranty covers this problem. When it all gets sorted I'll pass along the problem and the fix.

 

[slade25]

Problem resolved. The shifter cable let go and resulted in no way to slip into any gear. I was fortunate when the break happened, I was luckily in Neutral. Thanks for all your suggestions.