HELP! - Dodge Gearshift Jammed / Stuck - How To Fix it Yourself
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- Опубліковано 4 сер 2024
- Is your Dodge Caravan (or other Chrysler or Dodge) stuck in gear? Can't move the gearshift or get the key out? This is a common problem on the cable style transmissions if the car sits for a while or is in a corrosive environment - Watch what the problem is and how to fix it -- good luck and cheers!
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I am 70 years old with no help and did it myself. You made me feel good 👍. Sir, you ROCK!!!!!
The pleasure is mine Gloria - keep fixin
I thank God for your video! It has really helped me! May God continue to bless you and your family!
Very much appreciated - God bless and Cheers from Canada!
That was exactly it! The lever would go down into reverse and drive with some effort. But even more effort was required to bring it back up to reverse and park. I thought I must fix this before I get stuck. I was starting to research how to replace the shift cable. There was a video about replacing the bushing, another one about replacing the actual cable. Then I landed on this video! So I disconnected the shift cable and the transmission lever like you said, applied Amsoil Metal Protector to the lever where it meets with the transmission, moved that lever back and forth by hand 20 or so times. Then with the cable still disconnected I went inside the van and moved the lever; it moved freely so obviously the cable is good. I reconnected the cable to the transmission, went inside the van, and the lever now moves up and down freely. It took me 30 minutes, and cost me 2 or 3 squirts of Metal Protector et voila! God bless you!
Thnx for the vid.
Exact thing happened to my van, stuck in reverse, while off, key stuck in ignition.
Was so happy it was an easy fix
Due to the pandemic, I put my 2010 Caravan out of road for some time, I got exactly the same problem as you described. I thought it would be hundreds of dollars damage, but with your instruction, I got the problem fixed in five minutes. Just spay WD 40 at the point you indicated and force the shift moving towards and away from parking, it is fixed! Thank you so much!
Glad it worked out for you - Cheers from Canada!
Thank you for sharing. had this done 3 years ago by garage ( they told me, cheap fix) and worked fine till know. I will try this tomorrow and update my comment. have a great day.
I'm so very glad I found your video on the gear shift issue. I too have a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan in red, with the 3.3 litre V6 and my gear shifter is sticking / jamming exactly as shown. I'll be having a closer look in the morning to see what I can do to make things better. Thanks.
Sorry for the late reply - hope it worked - Cheers from Canada!
You are a life saver. Been having a hard time shifting into park but it finally got stuck at the mall in -15 c weather. I was able to get it into park and then drive the car home. Will try and see if penetrating oil will fix my problem. I will report later. Thank you!
Anytime Sean - Cheers from Canada!
Did it work? My mom van just did the same thing, she's been having problems shifting for a while and it finally got completely jammed. Not moving at all.
It would be what I'd check first for sure - Cheers and good luck@@raulalanis1919
It worked almost 80%. I can feel it's not smoothly going into park. So my guess will be more penetrating oil and continue to work the shaft back and forth. I can tell that I got a huge relief learning from this video
This is exactly what just happened to my van yesterday after not driving it much during lockdown. Thanks for this, will be giving your fix a shot!
Let me know how it works out Borden - Cheers from Canada!
@@carquestions Your video let me know where to look, so I was able to lube up the rusty part and get things shifting more smoothly again. Have to see if I've done enough to keep it healthy, but I've got my spray and hammer ready if it acts up. $10 for a can of lube/anti-rust spray is worlds better than I feared to sort this out!
God bless. Thanks for putting the time together to help us all out :)
Awesome video !!! Fixed my wife's van just like you said it would. THANK YOU. James.
Anytime James - Cheers from Canada!
Your a legend, saved me lots of headache other results telling me I have solenoid problems but nope, you tell me exactly what it is and how to fix it.
Anytime Ryan
my exact model with this exact problem....you literally saved me a new vehicle. THANK YOU!!!!!
Anytime Da - glad to help - Cheers from Canada!
Helped me out of a sticky situation at work. Thanks chief!
Anytime Jesse - Cheers from Canada!
Cool! I knew I would have to manually move it, but I thought my issue was with the plastic release hidden above the shift lever. Now I see how the rust issue is most likely my problem. Thanks!
Anytime Al - Cheers from Canada!
This video saved the day!! Just fixed my 2017 Dodge Caravan. Thank you 🙏
Anytime King - Cheers from Canada!
You the man!!! Thank you , our rental got stuck and we were so confused. Thank youuuuuu !! God bless
Glad it helped Jasmine - Cheers from Canada!
Thanks for the info, my buddy was stuck and I talked him through it
Always good tips and tricks!
Thanks! Keep up the good work☺️
Thanks Pyro - cheers!
Have 141k miles on my 2012 caravan, was going to run an errand today and couldn't get it out of park, 2 sites showed how to get to the park release button but said I'd have to do that every time! Thanks for the extra help am going to try it
Did it work?
Much appreciated, worked like a charm. I love these type of practical videos.
Thanks BMBB - Cheers from Canada!
@@carquestions fellow Canuck thanks cheers eh
Thanks a lot, I got exactly the same problem! Thank you for your video, Glad you uploaded it.
Anytime Jordan - cheers from canada!
thank you for this. your videos are very very good. keep up the great work
Thanks, will do JP - cheers from Canada!
Yeah, this happened to me today. I'm glad it's an easy fix. Thanks
Anytime - Cheers from Canada!
Omg thank you my 2009 wouldn't go into park at random times .I just got stuck in a car wash .thankfully this video popped up and saved my day! And my son's. He has autism and was less than amused we were stuck
Thank you so much - take care of the boy they truly are golden - Cheers from Canada!
had to do this yesterday on my dad van while it was running, fun times thanks for the info.
Anytime Nappy - Cheers from Canada!
Great job, thanks for your help brother.
Anytime Eros - Cheers from Canada!
great video - exactly what I needed to know
Anytime Pete - Cheers from Canada!
Thanks, I have exactly the same problem and you are giving very good information
Anytime Abdurah - Cheers from Canada!
cheers to you , you saved me a lot of money, more than anything you equiped with knowledge
thank, great advice, really does help
thanks man. your advise on this is so valuable. gonna save me loads of time and headaches.
Anytime Chris - Cheers from Canada!
@@carquestions it's shifting butter smooth now. so happy.
Love to hear that - if you could do me a favour I'd appreciate it - search GoFundMe for help end auto theft in Canada - I'd appreciate it
Thanks man, my dad was half way taking the car apart trying to troubleshoot it before I pulled out the tube. Turns out the transmission cable just popped off
Well done - we see who the real troubleshooter in the family is don't we?
Thank you for the useful info
can you just do this with the key in run position? does it have to be running? I'm scared to use my ebrake in fear it won't release again. Thanks
I am a single mom I was stuck at the gas station Grand thank you to your knowledge I was able to get myself out with no help I am so thankful I seen your video thank God you share your knowledge
Very happy to be able to help out Vanna - Cheers from Canada!
@@carquestions cheers 🍾
thanks a whole bunch my man. God bless
Anytime Shad - Cheers from Canada!
Great information Thank You!!!
Anytime Tim - cheers from Canada!
Yup...the sitting for a long time seems to cause this. An acquaintance bought a year old on the lot . A brand new 3.3 Grand Caravan back in 2010 or 2009 (during the housing meltdown) and the first time parked on an incline in the driveway it wouldn't leave park. It really raised a scare about a lemon, at first. This particular model had sat on the lot for a long time before being sold. Towed it to the dealership and it was fixed (for free of course). Never happened again, until once, 12 years later. Solution we used was 1) apply parking break then 2)get out and push it forward slightly on the incline park, that seemed to have unbinded it and got it to shift with no problems. It seems the parking cawl in the transmission can get stuck as well.
That shifter interface to the transmission shaft was never lubricated in 12 years, but was located and done just after that second incident (before your video confirmed the issue just now). It looked a little crusty by now, being in the salt belt :-). Never got stuck again.
Also tend to use the parking brake now more often to try and not to wear out that parking cawl in the transmission. Its been a reliable beast of burden for 12 years and still going! Bring back the 3.3! (unless you tow luxury liners all the time).
Keep fixin Joe - well done
Good bless you. its help alot sir.
Anytime Jess Cheers From Canada!
Same happened to me...the mechanic solved the problem with a screwdriver down from a small opening in the top of the dashboard in my 2017 model.
I'm about to work on a 99 intrepid it will not shift into park ,the shifter works in all gears but park, if I put it in neutral and shut car off and put shifter in park re start the car it's in reverse, I don't know what else to do
Geat video i have thr dodge grand caravan 2009 and i cant see how to use the low gear i move the shifter to minus to move it to one but does.not show on screen i dont think it changes anything
Thank you! Just go found an 09 80k miles with this problem only for $400! They thought it was the transmission
Love to hear that when it saves $$
Great tip! Mine is having the microswitch issue where it WILL shift to park and back, but won't release the key fob. So annoying! I don't really want to tear apart my dash, but I'm afraid that's the only way to permanently fix the little switch. For now, just a few extra flicks of the shifter button have been enough to bump the microswitch and release the fob.
Z Mac - sounds like you nailed it! - Cheers from Canada!
Same problem my van. Thanks for the info.
Glad to help - anytime BD cheers!
Thank you for your vidéo and help
Anytime Nancy - Cheers from Canada!
Hey thanks this the exact problem im having with my 09 caravan. I hope this fix solves it.
Hope it helps Terry - Cheers from Canada!
Does that apply to my 2008 Dodge grand Caravan with the six speed automatic? Because I have a similar situation. It gets stuck in park. However I can’t start it I just can’t shift it out of park. And then when it sits overnight I can go back out and it will come out of park and I can drive it but I don’t wanna put it back in Park so I’ve been leaving it in neutral
Radionut - as long as you have a cable type shifter it should be the same - Cheers from Canada!
Didn't anyone ever show you the place on the dash next to the shifter where you just put a rod down a little hole and it unlocks the shifter? My god its the easiest way to fix it and if you read the manual it shows how simple it is.
Tom - that's if the battery dies - mine is because of rust on the selector shaft on the transmission - hitting that button will do exactly nothing - guess you didn't watch much of the video
Similar thing just happened in my 2010 Grand Caravan. Once off Park, the transmission lever was easy to move, but would not "move far enough" to register the "Park" position. Penetrating oil seems to have done the trick! (and the "unlock" lever to take it off Park is also usefull!).
Good tip Claude - thanks for the info
GREAT TIP!
Thanks Lee - Cheers from Canada!
Question: Dodge Grande Caravan 2010 3.3L Shifter does always switches to the parking position. Possibly the cable needs to be adjusted? How to do it?
Never heard of that condition - Google it to see if someone else has had the problem
Engine compartment was packed with pine cones. Prevented full travel of shifter. Found fhis cleared it and all was solved thanks
Thanks for the info Adrian - it may help others - Cheers from Canada!
@@carquestions this was on a 2014 caravan, squirrel unknown got away.
Thank you sir you are the Best
Happy to help Bioso!
Thank you! I think anti-seize coating would be the best remedy for that problem.
Mscott - I couldn't agree more - Cheers from Canada!
@@carquestions And thank you, from the Bahamas!
I have a 2008 4.0 caravan and had the same problem. Sprayed heavily with JB-80, tapped with a hammer at the end of a long screwdriver and it's free. Thanks
Anytime Frank - Cheers from Canada!
What if my car is stuck in drive and i cant turn it off or get the key out
Could you also stick an O ring with some grease on it to keep water out of the housing?
sure - good idea!
Mine would move easily into park,reverse and neutral. Would not go into drive. I sprayed the linkage under the hood and got someone to move shifter in car while I helped likage with pliers. Finally moved into drive. Kept spraying and going up and down the shifter range and freed right up. Works like a champ now.
An excellent outcome TRP - persistence pays - Cheers from Canada!
Bless you, good sir XD
Please can you help me. I have the same problem with my dodge journey sxt 2009. How can repair it. Thank you in advance.
Use the same technique as in the video just use it on your car
As you're taping, and if someone is not inside, how do you know what gear you're taping the transmission into? Or is the object just to "free" the cable? Thanks.
Rob - just free it up and get it moving -
Not sure if you have same model. On my '05 T&C the gear indicator is linked to the the transmission and not the cable. So if you rotate it by hand, just go back inside and check the position reading.
My shifter started sticking after the mechanic kept replacing the brake pedal switch. He somehow disconnected the safety I guess on the shifter so it stops getting stuck. My key comes out fine the shifter was just sticking and not moving from park. Now it shifts with no foot on brake or vehicle running. How did they do this and is it okay to continue to drive this way? I was told it was a $600 part new not including labor. Plus all my brakes lights tire pressure sensor lights keep popping on the mechanic I bought it from I was told wired the brake box wrong so the sensors are popping on randomly cuz there is a short in the brake box due to messed up wiring. So I guess my ABS and traction control is not on thanks to this wiring issue. Does this sound right before I spend $280 on rewiring the brake box and a brake hose that keeps sticking on my back brake?
Also before this dealer mechanic took the safety off shifter it would dislodge by unlocking and locking the vehicle with the key several times but that eventually became annoying.
Amy - If you decide to go to the mechanic and spend another $280 make them promise before they start that what they will do will fix the car for sure is not a "maybe" it will fix it situation - if you spend $280 you want the problem fixed for good so don't spend the money unless they have found the root problem for sure. - Cheers from Canada!
I have a 2016 grand caravan, it starts but when i put into drive or reverse car does not move, is my transmission gone, before this happens when I was driving there was a strange sound coming from under the hood. Thanks.
Could be many things Maria - but yes transmission could be one of the reasons for sure - but doesn't sound like the problem described in the video
I have an 09 town and country. Did this exact same thing when I was 3 hours away from home. I followed your advise and it got me home. I am able to freely move the shaft that comes out of the transmission by hand. However, when I reattach the shifter cable, I am able to use the shifter knob on the dash for forward reverse and neutral, but when I try to put it in park, the shifter knob locks up and the transmission stays in reverse. What could be causing this? Thank you so much for any help.
Austin
I just wanted to comment again and say that I solved this issue using an article that was posted in a comment further down on this video about replacing the shifting mechanism on the dash. The shift cable had come out of the mechanism housing just behind the lowest bolt on the shifter assembly. I want to say thank you for posting this video. As I stated in my first comment, my wife, three young children, and myself were able to limp it home from 3 hours away with your help. Stay safe.
very glad to hear you fixed it - Cheers!
Omg. Thank you. I used lube and a hammer and it will now go back into park and start. Will work on it more when I have time
Keep fixin girl - Cheers from Canada!
Wow this work great thanks
Anytime Uvens - Cheers from Canada!
The only question i have is is that shift arm able to come out maybe file down the transmission hole a bit ?
No - you'd have to disassemble the transmission to get out the shaft - just keep oiling it
Hi, 2015 chrysler town n country. I put it in park and it is parked but dash shows as reverse and car does acknowledge it is parked.
Check and lube up cable as much as possible and try again
You are awesome thanks
Thanks for the comment JavaStar - Cheers from Canada!
Thank you very much.
Anytime Lorne - Cheers from Canada!
Hello. Near the end of the cable there is a spring. Mine is rusted out. Does that play a large role in being able to shift from P to R to N to D?
You need to replace the cable - they don't put on extra parts for noe reason - that said it might or might not work without it - try it and let me know
@@carquestions thanks for the speedy reply. I believe the replacement of the shift cable to be beyond my capabilities (and it's too cold), would you recommend I take it to the dealership or an independent auto shop or even a shop that specializes in transmission?
Hello there quick question is there a Spring inside of the gear shift knob itself?? My gear shift knob came off, I replaced the gear shift knob with my old one but my keys are not coming out of the Ignition
Yes there is Clauge - but not sure for certain that would be your problem - disconnect transmission cable at transmission then place in park to see if keys come our - block wheels first for safety - Cheers from Canada!
@@carquestions awesome thank you. Cheers from Missouri USA
@@claugekanhai3833 let me know how you make out
Hello. My gear shift knob button is loose. I can shift back and forth easy but my key will not come out. Any ideas as to why this may be happening. Thank you
Sounds like maybe the cable is broken or become disconnected.
Yiippeee!! It worked!
Glad to hear it Pulsar - well done! - cheers from Canada!
Thank you!!!
Anytime Gezi - Cheers from Canada!
I have a van like that thanks for the heads up
Anytime LM - Cheers from Canada!
Will this fix the problem of the gearshift being really hard to move?
it certainly might - give it a try
Mine is a 2014..where woody gear shifter be ..for me too tap it back into drive?
John - you cant do this on a 2014 - it's all electrical switching not mechanical - sorry - Cheers from Canada!
Is the same process on a 2014 caravan?
Marcos - it is if you can see the cable on top of the transmission otherwise no - Cheers
I have a problem with my Dodge Journey 2010. Two days ago I went for a drive and it suddenly changed into 2. gear...something like safe mode. I could also put it in reverse, then I parked him and prepared myself for a little mech work. Today...the gas pedal doesn't work. I can't even change gears.. nothing. When I put in manual, it only shows PRND. I plug it in the OBD, it shows like the 6th gear is stuck..
Help anyone please.. 🙏
You can disconnect the battery for 20 minutes and jiggle the wires near the TIPM - but this my be a TIPM problem (google it) - sounds like a trip to the transmission shop as soon as you can if that doesn't work.
That black piece the holds the cable and the mount together is missing on mine. How u call this? I need help
The cable comes off
It is the end clip - you might need to replace the whole cable - dealer item most likely
Go to bushingfix.com , they have a good fix for that.
Thank you Amazing
Hope it helped -Cheers from Canada
Hi. Is the engine running or is it in accessories?
it can stick in any position running or not
2010 caravan, almost a similar problem. When I shift into drive, it will easily slip into Neutral, and won't stay into drive unless I hold it there. Any idea what it could be? Seeing if it's something I might be able to fix myself, without hitting up my mechanic
Ya - lubricate the hell out of the lever and shaft coming out of the transmission as well as all cables - then work the shifter like a madman - back and forth to free it up - sounds like sticking cable or shaft - let me know how you make out - cheers!
@@carquestions amazing ! Anything specific or good ol' WD40 good enough?
@@xxragingstormxx7948 Any penetrating oil - so ya WD40 is fine
@@carquestions thank you so much! I'll let you know how it goes!
I always use a little heat as well love a propane torch with adjustable head just a little heat can do wonders on things careful not to melt things
I have an 08 Caravan, I can go drive and it’s fine but then I put it in park and it immediately gets stuck in park… not only that the vehicle is running and I can turn the key to the opposition and take the key out but the motor continues to run while it’s stuck in park
KCC - you need the key cylinder replaced I would suspect - the problem is in the column - Cheers from Canada!
Thanks!!!!
Anytime Gloria - Cheers from Canada!
I did exactly what you say and it moves easily, changed the whole shifter assembly and cable is fine too. Still stuck in reverse and can't start? Any idea's? I'm thinking something electrical or computer? solenoid or something? ready to burn this thing lol
Start it in neutral. I'd say if its still sitting in reverse you have to adjust the cable. Loosen that small 5/16 bolt on the cable where it attaches to the shaft, make sure the shaft is all the way forward in the "park" position and the shifter lever inside the van is in "park" position as well, then tighten the bolt on the cable.
@@ihelpdogs yeah cable was completely seized, im an idiot lol, thanks
Thanks! My dads 09 town and country has been having this issue, will be doing this tomorrow morning, another issue has been that the shift lock release used to work getting from park to drive, but it no longer does, you think think that may all be part of the same problem?
Could be Amado - tough to say since I'm not there - did you check for codes?
@@carquestions have not yet, will do once I stop by tomorrow. Thanks for the response!
@@carquestions so I went to my dads today, and came across something interesting, the issue doesn’t seem to be where I thought, rather the shifter itself, when I go to press the button it doesn’t not push in all the way through, and I have to squeeze at a weird angle, I unscrewed the shifter knob and tried pushing it down manually and it does the same, so im assuming the issue would be the shifter itself ? Lol id appreciate any input you may have
The shifter mechanism gets stuck as well. I have to hand palm up hard on the shifter or it won't go into "P" electronically on the dash even though the van is in park. It's almost like there is a little electronic button the shifter has to touch for the vans computer to fully register park. Thanks for the video, I'm gonna play around with it more tomorrow.
I noticed nobody responded to your post as my 2011 T &C is similar problem to yours and hoped for a respone. Maybe original post to old as the guy is good. My PRNDstays "electronically" in R as has the red light lit up ,however, shift cable freely moves so computer thinks car is in R so NEVER cranks. Starter is good as i can hot wire starter solnoid by touchingnumber 30/85 in fuse box and starter cranks.Also i can make fuel pump come on by a hot wire method. I am thinking a saftey neutral switch but van not showing that code.Very frustrating as already replace new WIN module for $600...
@@davidcooley275 here is the problem www.allpar.com/model/m/shifter-fix.html
thanks a lot
Anytime - Cheers!
I just had this problem, Now I can move it but I can’t get it to go in gear it just shows a square on all gears. The key comes out but I can’t start it can you help?
The battery is not dead, It’s just not registering any gear, I don’t know what to do.
keep moving the shifter arm on the transmission under the hood - keep trying
If there is a square on all gears, check the battery terminals make sure they are tight and engine ground straps of course. If it won't go into gear, check that the cable was properly reconnected
I have a dodge grand caravan stow and go and you see where the shifter is, mine is loose and comes off how can I fix it?
Anela - You need to inspect the cable attachment points - under the dash and in the engine compartment
@@carquestions Maybe I need to be more specific just the knob comes off not the entire thing.
@@roundthewldin3clicks Then the shifter handle needs replacement
@@carquestions ok thanks
2008 grand caravan has power to ignition but shift lever is lock and wont start
You need to get a boost your battery is dead likely
This happened to but its cable is in park near the transmission. I think it disconnected from inside dash
It might be - if it is, the shifter will move easily but do nothing - is it stuck or moving?
@@carquestions shifter moves but light in dash stays in reverse and wont start
@@anuarw7455 yes - cable is disconnected or broken - either at transmission or shifter
What if it's stuck in park, and doesn't turn off when you take the key out?
Try moving it back and forth and shove it hard into park
The little square that you can peel up and use a screen driver to press the button inside worked but still kinda curious why it doesn't turn off sometimes
Great video but,... at the most important part for me I hear you say what you are doing but I can't see. You arm or shoulder is in the way. Hard to get a camera in the right place where you can speak AND work visibly. Maybe it will make sense when I'm under the hood.
Sorry I know but it's really just the cable and plastic end that I hoped to spotlight - - Cheers from Canada Mscott!
I had this problem on a PT Cruiser. I just soaked that shaft with penetrating oil and that helped it get loose. Never thought about using a hammer!
Rarely used but effective at times
I cannot find this part in my van i have a 2012 dodge caravan
Stop looking - totally different transmission
@@carquestions makes sense as to why i cannot find anything about the 2012 version. Still having the same problem 🤦🏻♀️
@@ilovejustinbieberso0 Get a scan tool and look for codes to see whats failed
@@carquestions we have to get the van towed , we don’t have a scan tool but our mechanic does. I ended up putting the car it neutral and it started once. But now won’t start again
@@ilovejustinbieberso0 Keep trying - jiggle shifter in neutral - out of 20 times trying you might get it to go - good luck
What if it’s in neutral
Try the same thing - maybe it has a broken cable and is unable to shift the transmission - let me know what it was - Thanks Rebecca - Cheers from Canada and good luck!