what could cause my truck to get stuck in park, the shifter on steering column wont budge, but if i keep trying It will eventually release.

Asked by Daniel Jul 21, 2013 at 11:47 AM about the 2007 Dodge RAM 1500 SLT Quad Cab RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

when I do get it to go in gear it is driving and running good but when I put it in park again it get stuck again.

15 Answers

47,765

You have to press with a reasonable amount of pressure on the brakes to activate a switch. Once the switch is activated, current is sent to a solenoid that releases the shift lock. If either the shift lock or the switch is not working properly, you will not be able to get the vehicle out of park. Usually it's the brake pedal switch... check it for proper adjustment.

113 people found this helpful.

maybe you did not see this forum on the subject----- http://www.ramforumz.com/showthread.php?t=108936

57 people found this helpful.
200,965

I agree with Racer_X. Sounds like that might be a good place to start looking.

15 people found this helpful.
200,965

No I didn't. Hope mine don't start that stuff. But at least I know where to look now. Thanks judge.

9 people found this helpful.
340

I'm having same problem in my pickup we changed brake switch still doing it I can usually shift to neutral before I put key in ignition then start it as long as I don't use park any suggestions

34 people found this helpful.
480

I am having the same issue. Shifter in park and won't go into drive like it is on lock or something.

48 people found this helpful.
390

My Dodge Ram 2008 gear shift was hanging up and getting worse. After seeing a Youtube video, I slide the protective rubber boot on the steering column out to the end of the gear shift... A yellow jacket carcass was laying in the release mechanism. No sure it had anything to do with it. I removed the critter and lubricated the area with WD-40 and shifting out of park now effortlessly and now no problems. If I had taken it to a dealer I probably would have paid hundreds to it fixed.

30 people found this helpful.
170

I have had success when I activate 4 wheel drive "Hi", if the brake pressure does not activate switch.

17 people found this helpful.
100

Very interesting Helo96! I will give that a try. I have the most luck when I shut the truck off and give it about 20 - 30 seconds, then restart and it will shift just fine(most of the time). Almost seems that it resets/allows it to energize the solenoid. Not an issue of lubrication within the column.

10 people found this helpful.
130

2007 Dodge Ram 1500 had "shifter stuck in park" problem for a couple of years. After truck warmed up it would come out of park. Dealer could not fix it but Midas in Seaford NY changed the shifter cable from steering column to transmission after changing brake switch which helped a little but with shifter cable replaced all is working great. Comes out of park . Very important that you match up the new cable to the old one. Took 3 times to get the right part from dealer. First 2 were an inch or two short and cable snapped on second cable and wouldn't go into park with first replacement. Dealer kept sending wrong part. Mechanic went there with original cable and found that the part number that came up was wrong for my truck. Problem finally gone.

13 people found this helpful.
50

I took my 2007 to the dealership and they said the cone in the transmission had a burr on it. Have no idea what that means but they they ground it off and it works perfectly. Said it's a common problem

5 people found this helpful.
50

I have a 2006 dodge ram 1500.I removed the boot around the column gear shifter and I could see the rectangular pin that is the interlock.With the key in the on position I touched this with a screwdriver and it popped in.Lubed it up and it's fine now.

5 people found this helpful.
50

Have the same problem with my 05 Ram1500 4dr, 4wd quad cab, automatic trans. Still have that problem and now ANOTHER problem. A friend that was trying to help me to figure out the problem. He pulled back on the gearshift lever and pulled down with a jerk. Bad idea!!! Something broke, don't know what but, Shifter moves easily up and down now. The gear indicator needle that shows which gear it's in does not move. The engine turns over but will not start. Won't even try. Anyone know how to fix that problem without having to take it to a dealership?

5 people found this helpful.

I have a 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 classic. The turn gear knob froze up. A mechanic came over and set and released my emergency break 3 times. It unlocked my gear turn knob. It does that to protect your transmission.

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