Dodge brake/shifter interlock
Dodge Dakota Shifter cable repairs
Problems with the shifter on '05 Dakota . The Gear shift lever will not move when I pull it down, but if I wiggle it around it usually does.
Now shifter got pulled too hard and broke the plastic connector that it attaches too.
Will I have to replace the whole shift cable and if so how to replace Gear Shift Cable on Dodge Dakota.
As per what the problem is described:----
If the cable broke then that rules out the ignition/shifter interlock as a possible cause, the cause of it hanging up is either going to be brake/shifter interlock or in the trans. It's very unlikely to be in the trans, especially since wiggling it would allow you to shift.
Details Regarding Shift Cable Replacement:----
The shift cable is serviced as an assembly, so yes the cable will need to be replaced. It's not a big job and you'll probably be able to do it yourself with no problem.
Reasons For Why Shift Cable Breaks:----
The cause of these cables breaking is usually a bad interlock solenoid. If you look at the cable you'll notice a two wire solenoid just under where it broke. This is the interlock solenoid that turns on and off to allow you to shift out of park When the brake is pressed. This solenoid is usually the case of these sticking in park and eventually the cable breaking if you pull hard enough. Being made of plastic doesn't help anything! Also the metal cable itself snap too though.
What Is Required To Replace Gear Shift Cable?
If you've already got the steering column shroud and knee blocker removed then you've got most of the dis-assembly done. You'll need to unplug the interlock solenoid and pop the remaining part of the cable off at the shifter. It just pops over a stud and will come off with a screwdriver.
You'll see a couple ears on the cable that spread to hold it to the bracket on the column. Squeezing the ears in will allow you to slide the cable down out of the bracket.
Follow it to the firewall where you'll find a rubber grommet, which is part of the cable assembly. Pull the grommet from the firewall and the cable will be loose.
Then go underneath to the trans. You'll find the same type of stud there where the cable attaches to the manual valve lever on the trans. Pop it off.
You'll also find the same type of attachment where the cable mounts to the bracket on the side of the trans. Squeeze the tabs and the cable will slide out of the bracket.
At that point it's loose and you can remove it through the inside of the truck.
When you put the replacement in fish it through the firewall and then down to the trans. Mount it at the trans and hook the cable up.
Then mount it and hook it up at the column. With the trans in park and shifter in park, slide the cable adjuster lock tab into place. The adjuster is up at the steering column end, it will be in the unlocked position on the new cable and very obvious.
You'll also need to remove a plastic lock for the interlock solenoid adjustment once the cable is in place and adjusted. The plastic piece again will be very obvious and resembles a plastic grenade pin, and should be white.
2002 Dodge Dakota. It occasionally won't shift out of park
The park shifter/cable has been replaced along with the brake switch.
INSPECT THE BRAKE LIGHTS:
First of all verify if the stop lamps work when the shifter wont move out of park, you may have a problem with a voltage drop to the shifter interlock solenoid.If the stop lamps work when the shifter wont come out of park, the problem is most likely with the shift interlock solenoid that keeps the shifter from moving unless you step on the brake pedal.
If the brake light functions properly when brake pedal is depressed then its issue with shift interlock switch ........
Depending on what trans you have there is a method to adjust the shift interlock cable(shifter cable) for proper release.The diagram shows the electrical connector to test proper voltage when depressing the brake, should be battery voltage.
For Brake Transmission Interlock Mechanism And Its Adjustment Procedure Click Here
