Holey Moley! This worked on my '98 Chevy K1500 truck. I had replaced the brake indicator switch three times (after googling the problem with the shifter). Drove the truck twice and the second time I got stuck in park at the grocery store. Turned the truck off and said a sincere prayer and tried again. Got it out of park and went home. Once in the driveway, couldn't get it out of park. Not wanting to replace the brake switch AGAIN, I searched youtube and found your video. Tried your fix and it worked. Thanks a million!!!!
Dude. Thank you for posting this. You just saved me literally hours of work chasing down what was not actually an electrical problem like I thought it would be...
Got into my truck this morning, it wouldn't shift out of park. In my head I was running through all the scenarios and expenses i had coming my way. Then I grabbed my phone and googled. your video was the first to come up. I fixed it without even getting out of the driver's seat. thank you for creating this video with such useful and succinct information!
When I got up this morning I was beside myself: my Dodge Caravan is in the shop to get its catalytic converter replaced (75,000 miles!) and my 2002 Dodge Dakota would NOT come out of park. After sleuthing around I found this RUclips video and sure enough, that was the problem! Thank you, thank you, thank you! This video saved me a day's running around, lots of stress, and a ton of money! Best Christmas present this year. Again, thanks!
I have had my 02 Dakota for six years and this problem only popped up when it starts to get below freezing. No issue for two years and then today it happened again. A mechanic friend of mine said it was probably the solenoid on the brake pedal. Found your video and hallelujah, the answer to a six year mystery. Thank you so much
I watched your video, walked outside with WD40 in hand and pulled the boot off. I turned the key watched, sprayed a tiny squirt and it immediately disengaged. I am so thankful. Thank you so much. What a blessing!
The dealer wanted 120.00/hr to diagnose the problem. Your video came up first when I asked the Google and your solution worked perfectly! Thank you!!!!!
Brother! You saved my life! Isn’t 02 Dakota has been parked for 3+ years because I couldn’t get the shifter out of park. It wasn’t too much of an issue since I hadny own personal company vehicle. But then tragedy struck & I fell at work shattering my knee. After being off work for 4 weeks my employer finally picked up my company rig, as the tools and such were needed to complete other jobs.. This left me completely stranded as I had absolutely no working vehicle, my Jeep was in the garage getting a new clutch(which I wasn’t able to work on w/ a broken knee). Uber was costing me a fortune, $100+ round trip to Dr. Appointments, which I had many; shattering my leg and all.. I had already changed the brake pedal switch out w/ no luck. Then while feeling defeated, depressed & disabled, I stumbled across your video. And POOF! Eureka!! It worked! it worked! Thank you! Thank you for taking the time to share this gem! From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Here's another tip: as pointed out by another poster, there is also a brake switch that can just as easily hang up your interlock. In my initial troubleshooting I discovered that at times I could get the shifter out of park if I stomped down on the brake pedal. You can spritz a little WD-40 on the plunger of the brake pedal switch while you're at it. The switch is up high on the brake lever. Just hold down the brake pedal, hit the plunger, and then let go of the pedal and the plunger will go back into the switch housing. Work your brake pedal several times to distribute the WD-40. Now you've hit both of the interlocks that can freeze up. If the plunger won't free up, or if your brake lights don't come on, check your fuses. If they're all OK, replace the brake light switch.
Had my 2001 Durango not shift out of park this morning. I tried rocking the vehicle and turning the wheel, but it did not work. Found your video and it fixed the problem! I appreciate you taking the time to put the video out there because it saved me a tow! Thank you very much!!!!!!!
2001 Dakota, 132,000 miles, love this truck. About two months ago started having trouble shifting from Park. Worse when it was cold. Below freezing was taking several minutes. This fix FIXED it. Thanks so much. Rubber boot on shift lever has a square plastic piece that easily separates from the steering column, hose metal parts with WD-40. EASY, no tools required.
I bought a 2002 Dakota this past weekend. Monday night this happened to me. You saved me from buying a switch, a few shots of WD-40 Dry Lube and the problem has disappeared. Thanks a bunch.
Can't say enough how much this was appreciated! It fixed the problem on my 2004. Easy to do by removing the boot. Many many thanks. It's a bad feeling when you get stuck.
Thank you so much. You resolve my issue and I’m back on the road within minutes. I was at the Jimmy Johns parking lot getting ready to deliver some lunch to my elderly parents who have been stuck in their retirement community for the last eight months and went to Google and found your video and you saved the day.
As has been said by so many others, thank you. My '04 Dakota did this on a cold morning and after letting it run for about 15 minutes I finally shifted fine. I drove it to where I was going and parked it only to be stuck again. I managed to get it out of park after another 20 minutes or so and found your video once back at home. I love an easy fix!
I've been having this very problem on my 2001 R/T for the past couple of weeks... seemed to be getting worse... thought I might be in for an expensive tranny repair.... but, thanks to your tip, I pulled back the rubber boot, gave a couple of squirts of WD-40 on the locking pin, slide and lever and low and behold... the problem is FIXED!! Thanks bro... you have save me a few sleepless nights... easiest repair I have made in years ;-)
You sir, are a rockstar for posting this!! I cant believe this problem was fixed with a fraction of a cent worth of WD-40 and a few minutes of time! Worked like a charm on my '01 Dakota. I was beginning to stress about what it could be and how much $$$! Thank you for taking the time to help others out! Very much appreciated!!
Thanks you!!! I had the same problem with my '02 Durango after sitting out in the ice & snow for a couple of days. I saw your video, pulled the shifter boot off & lubed up the locking mechanism & it shifted in gear with ease. There is a brake interlock also, but it wasn't the problem. You can tell that the truck wanted to go into gear when the brake was applied, just that the ignition lock was at least partially holding it up. In contrast to trying to shift when not applying the brake, which the shifter wouldn't move at all. Thanks again, your video saved me a tow & repair bill!!!
Had been having intermittent issues with our 2002 Durango until it would not shift from park at all. Took all of 5 minutes to resolve the problem, thanks to your time and effort! Much appreciated!
My 2001 Dodge Durango RT has had this problem off & on for years after it sits for a few days. Your solution was 'right on'....I pulled back the rubber boot, sprayed WD40 generously & slid the locking mechanism. Many thanks to you for posting!!
Thank you, thank you, for your video. It was -20 and my dodge dakota sport was stuck in park. Had to leave it sit overnight. After doing some searching on the web, I found your video, so we went to try it on my truck. Low and behold, we did exactly what you did and we got ot out of park and back home! Thanks again, and it saved us a tow charge.
Gonna jump on the bandwagon of thanks. Solved the problem for my 2008 Dodge Dakota. I was worried it was going to be very time intensive to chase down a problem and have to take LOTS of panels and covers off to expose the area to fix. I was easily able to pull the rubber housing back and push the lever in (as an initial fix) and got the truck out of park. Lifesaver ... THANKS!!!!!
THANK YOU! I've been fighting this problem for longer than I care to admit. Like you, I also had the impression that there was an electronic interlock integrated into the cable. Thinking the "electronic interlock" had failed, I began searching for a new shift cable - that's when I stumbled across your video. I popped off the boot around the gear shift, turned the key a couple of times and observed exactly what you described. I hit it with WD-40, manually moved the interlock back and forth a few times and now it's working PERFECTLY. So quick and easy.... it literally took longer to watch your video that it did to fix the problem. Thanks again
Thank you so much for this video!! This has been an off and on problem for our 2002 Dakota for the past 3 years. It never really got totally stuck until today. With two kids in college and just getting through Christmas, we just didn't have the funds to get the truck fixed. So I found your video and showed my husband. He removed the rubber boot around the gear shift and fixed it. He sprayed it with WD40 and it works fantastic! So thanks again for turning our bad morning into a great one!!!!
This info is still good after 10 yrs. I changed my trans fluid and filter again yesterday and this morning it didn't want to come out of park twice on me, I thought how in the world did changing the fluid cause this? I found your video and fixed it in 5 min., many thanks for posting this....
You are the bomb! Our 2001 Durango shifter was starting to get sticky getting out of park. Your video came up 1st on my Google Search and save me hours of time and energy researching and disassembling the column cover. I am so thankful you took the time to post this!!
Thanks man I replaced my cable a while back it took a month to find on when I Finley found it it was out of a Durango not a dakato had to modifie it but worked thanks to you I was hoping it was not the same it was what you said my first you tube was your Video thanks so much have a happy New Year you awesome
I can't say Thank You enough, for this video. My 04 Dakota Sport Plus Quad Cab started sticking. Other videos I found suggested adjusting the shift cable, via some alignment hole on the shift cable housing. I couldn't find any alignment hole, without further dis-assembly. I stumbled upon your vid, while looking for that other vid. Thank God! I solved the problem with ease. Easy to check too, just with boot off. Turn on key, and that in turn, actuates mechanism that pulls the square pin ( shift interlock) downwards. Mine didn't want to go down, but as soon as I touched it, it would pop down. Just sticky. Thanks again.
SPOT ON!!!! I have an 02 Durango and between watching the video and pulling the boot off and sparying WD-40 on the slide, this litterally was resolved within minutes!!! Awesome Video! Thank you!
Just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH ! I've had this problem more than once this winter and it's no fun !! Especially with my 3 year old son in the truck ! Thank you again for sharing !
Wow, Super tip. All kinds of posts on this issue on these trucks. After finding the issue most are off-base talking about some servo,etc. Your video cut straight to the issue, and saved me a ton of time since you can go through the hole for the boot as you suggested. Plus now I am not worried if it ever acts up again. I can be back on the road in no time. Thanks, from yet another greatful googler.
Outstanding video! I am a professional mechanic and this poor customer of ours has had his truck towed to my shop twice, both times the shifter worked fine. I found this video, which lead me to check the slide, and it was definitely not sliding smoothly. Thanks a ton for this great video!!
Thanks so much man. That was it. I slid back the rubber boot covering the gear shift and just pushed it with my finger as I turned the key and viola it moved and allowed me to move the shifter out of park. It was that mechanical stop you mentioned. You saved me a bunch of money...... I have noticed a lot of advice on the internet is from so called expert mechanics and the advice they give is the expensive fixes. It's always best to start with the easy, cheap fixes first like this one and then work your way up to the more complicated, expensive fixes.
Excellent! I got stuck today in Park off and on (intermittently) and found this video. Back out to the Durango, tried turning the key several times until it got stuck again, and with one spritz of WD-40, without even moving anything else, the interlock slid out of the way. I am noticing a common theme while looking around the Internet - the word "cold" keeps coming up. Presently we're in the middle of the polar vortex pattern of the Winter of 2014. It's been colder here in the Mid-Atlantic than ever on record. Cold weather does funny things to a car, including gumming up lubricants. So the WD-40 fix (since WD-40 is a thin, penetrating lubricant) was a great idea. So far this week between my two cars in this FRIGID weather, I've had a failed water pump, failed alternator, and this. It had been an expensive week already - thanks for the video! It's also good to know what to do to unstick the interlock, rather than be stranded.
You made my day! What I thought may be a repair nightmare was a 60 second fix with WD-40. Simply pulled the rubber boot out of the way, used the WD-40 spray tube to shoot a little on the slide mechanism and and it shifted out of Park smooth as a big 'ol stick of butter! Sweet!
THANK YOU!!! Your video saved me.i hosed the steering column down trying to get it to work , and then I saw your video. 5 minutes later I was driving away. You, sir, are awesome!!
You are wonderful for posting this and that's what happened to mine so right after watching this my husband ran outside to try it and it WORKS! Thank you
Thanks SouthPaw. Mechanic charged me $280 to replace the Interlock Shifter Cable. Thought it was fixed,,. but problem was not resolved. After seeing your video, problem resolved. Many thanks.
This video saved me...you my man are ROCKSTAR!! Thought my transmission was going out, turned out to be a simple thing. Awesome!! Thanks again for posting.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for this video!!!! Our 2002 Dakota started doing this just as our weather dropped into the -40 range. You saved me some serious heartache on this issue! We had assumed the issue was that the Truck was just too cold for the shifter to engage, but I was getting extremely frustrated at this point as I had been running the truck for over an hour by this point. Then my husband found your video, called me, explained it to me, and just like that I was home and warm! Thank you! ^_^
wao thank God I found you and this video. You saved me from going nuts trying to find the problem in my 2001 dakota. thanks for taking your time and doing this video. God bless you
Electricsouthpaw's, you are the man! Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Just experienced the problem this morning, when my wife was leaving for work. I have a 2001 Durango that was parked on the driveway behind my wife's car in the garage. Needless to say she was not happy. Fortunately, I was able to get her to work on time. Found your video. Pop the shifter boot. Found the same issue was the same. WD40ed it and no more problem! Thank you again and thanks to everyone that post videos on how to fix things! V~
my 02 dakota r/t was stuck in park thankfully in front of my house. did what you said and problem solved. thanks for putting this on you tube and saving me from a big headache
I was just getting ready to call a tow truck. Watched the video and tried it. Worked perfectly. My Dakota is a 2002 and looked a little different, but worked perfectly. Thank you for posting this video, save me a ton of money.
Had this exact issue just minutes ago. Hadn't driven the Dodge for over 6mos due to some other issues, just got it going and it wouldn't get out of gear...followed your lead and got her back on the road. Thanks!
Hey you fellow southpaw, THANK YOU. I´ve got a 2003 Dakota that looks identical. My automatic shifter began to get sticy in Park, just as the weather started getting cold. And all this time I futured it was the brake light switch down at the pedal. Figured out that it wasn´t the switch, but only after replacing it for 14 bucks. I´ll get the beast inside and open that up and get some good lubricant on it. I really appreciate your sharing it and will pay it forward to next guy.
This was a big help to me.-this has been going on for a few years on and off I use my van for gig and many of times I would freak when my van wouldn't shift out of park. I was planing on taking the van to my maniac tomorrow for I have an important show coming up. Anyway thank to you I don't have to take it. I took the boot off and spray it with WD40 and its working fine. Thank you every much for sharing
This fixed it!, Dakota 2003, was told i'd have to change my breaklight switch, but after seeing this, i'm glad i waited. was able see the block sticking, was able to free it manually, and verifyied it was good after WD40. This was just what i needed, Thanks
Thanks so much for sharing! I have been dealing with this every winter, below freezing Canadian temps where it finally completely locked up. To others, just clip the selector boot off and you will see everything. The boot easily clips back into place. I lubed mine up with spray white lithium grease.
Much gratitude for your insight and post!!! Been happening to my 2009 Dodge Durango for years, during cold weather. Dodge had a recall on shift interlock, but (naturally) not for my year. Thanks, again!!!!!!!!!!
Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou.. I have an 02 dakota which has occasionly been stuck in park.. VERY FRUSTRATING, left it at the post office all night. But after viewing you post, I popped out the rubber sleeve around the shifter and pushed the little metal pin and PRESTO!! then gave it a shot of wd40 and works great.. BUT I did find a recall for this so I will bring it in to a dodge dealer for a freefix (safety recall G28-ignition/park shift interlock) pics like this r worth more than words.
This problem has caused me so much hassle and a couple hundred bucks. Thank you so much for sharing this information! I'm sure no mechanic would show me this trick. Anyhow Dude you are the man. Total game changer and just made my day. Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!!!!!!
Your video was a big help for me. Really appreciate you taking the time to show folks how to resolve this problem. Well done and blessings on you for this. Neil- Dallas, TX.
Thanks for a much appreciated time saver. Consequently I am Just Now Working on my 2001 Dodge 3500 Maxi Van because the Trans temp lite came on and I believe it is stuck in " Limp Mode" code P0753. Computer scan says it's the 3-4 shift solenoid relay condition. It says the ECM has detected an open or shorted condition on the relay circut. I had just dropped the trans pan looked for anything unusual, broken pieces, replaced a few parts and the fluid and filter, added a can of Seafoam transmission cleaner, and ordered and recieved a magnefine filter, which I'll Install when I get a chance. The truck has been good so far but it does nickel and dime me with about 12 different minor problems since I bought it with 40K, from Pennsylvania. Now has 96K. I Have never before been knocked upside my head by a Southpaw before but I can see that you are a good guy for posting this! I hope my tranny shifts now, I thought it was something I did. I saw Dodge put a little grease on that slide, but it wasn't enough evidently. Take care and Good Luck, John H.
Thanks for making this video. Fixed the problem on my 2001 Dakota. Wish I would have seen this before buying the brake light switch. This right here is why I love RUclips.
I thought no way...but it worked on my 2006 Dakota, right before I was going to buy a solenoid. Still valuable information 10 years later after posting!
Thank you so much for this video! I have a 2002 Dodge Durango and this is the second time that this has happened to me. The first time I was at a gas station and couldn't lave and ended up having a tow. I ended up with hundreds of dollars of expenses. This is the second time; pop off a little over, a few squirts of WD40, all fixed!!! Thank you!!
I wish I would have seen this a long time ago. I also considered a solenoid or neutral safety switch. Very good job on starting with basic mechanics. I approve of your work friend.
Thank you so much for taking the time to post this . I see a lot of other people have also said thank you as well . This is the most helpful video I've ever viewed. You explained everything in detail. I wish you the best because,that was exactly what was wrong with my truck for years . Words can't explain how thankful I am for your post and helpfulness. Thank you from the bottom of my heart !!!!
My 2003 Dodge Dakota is doing the same damn thing. It did it a few times here and there. Now it's been like in the teens weather wise. Went to a school play and sat in the parking lot for 10 mins trying to get her out of Park. You're the first video that popped up and from the sounds of it, you figured out my issue as well!! Now I know what I need to do in the morning. I fucking hate this truck. It's a money pit. At least this one I can fix myself! Kudos to you sir!!
Thank you for this, my 2002 did it an hour ago so I went underneath and put it in gear moving the linkage lever with a tire iron and got home. The dodge dealer in Renton WA service dept. failed to pick up the phone, so that's one stupid idiot that will never get my money or any work on my truck. I knew it was locked up in the steering column and you just verified it and saved me a lot of time and $. Thanks for your video.
Great video. Just bought a used '04 Ram and at the first fill up 5 miles away from the seller's house, I couldn't get out of park. Managed to jiggle it loose, but will now be lubricating that slide with WD40 to prevent the issue.
Yahoo!!! Did not think it would be this easy. My 2002 Dodge Dakota was doing the same thing. This worked. Just pull back the rubber around the shifter at the column. Sprayed WD-40 on both sides of the screw looking thing in the center of the slide. On side of this screw looking thing key off, then other side with key on. BANG! She's working again great......
Thank-you soooo much for making this video and showing me exactly what and where. Of course I found the video after I took the panel off from under the steering column and spent half an hour looking for the solenoid that another site said was by the brake light switch. Took me all of 30 seconds to pop off the rubber boot on the shifter and spray some WD40 on it. Works like a champ now. Thanks Again!
Thanks so much. I was worried this was going to be some expensive transmission problem. Just took care of it and works like a champ again. Happy New Year!
Had mine get stuck today. Took the rubber boot off and found that stop sticking up, pushed it in and got it out of park. Happy to see your video so I know I don't need to buy anything other than some lube. Was thinking I'd needed a new cylinoid, a new mechanism or some springs (and I was dreading taking that mechanism apart......more so putting it back together). Ha. Thanks for the video.
Great tip here thank you!!! Was beginning to have this problem like everyone else here, just popped the rubber boot off and one shot of tri-flow got the lock to retract properly.
OMG I am so glad you posted this video. You did help someone else....ME:) My 2002 dakota wouldn't come out of park and I did exactly what you said and it worked. I also sprayed a little lube in to keep it working. I don't have alot of money to pay for tow or repair so you saved me. I sure appreciate your help!
Holey Moley! This worked on my '98 Chevy K1500 truck. I had replaced the brake indicator switch three times (after googling the problem with the shifter). Drove the truck twice and the second time I got stuck in park at the grocery store. Turned the truck off and said a sincere prayer and tried again. Got it out of park and went home. Once in the driveway, couldn't get it out of park. Not wanting to replace the brake switch AGAIN, I searched youtube and found your video. Tried your fix and it worked. Thanks a million!!!!
Dude. Thank you for posting this. You just saved me literally hours of work chasing down what was not actually an electrical problem like I thought it would be...
You are a life saver thank you so much for sharing this
Got into my truck this morning, it wouldn't shift out of park. In my head I was running through all the scenarios and expenses i had coming my way. Then I grabbed my phone and googled. your video was the first to come up. I fixed it without even getting out of the driver's seat. thank you for creating this video with such useful and succinct information!
When I got up this morning I was beside myself: my Dodge Caravan is in the shop to get its catalytic converter replaced (75,000 miles!) and my 2002 Dodge Dakota would NOT come out of park. After sleuthing around I found this RUclips video and sure enough, that was the problem! Thank you, thank you, thank you! This video saved me a day's running around, lots of stress, and a ton of money! Best Christmas present this year. Again, thanks!
I have had my 02 Dakota for six years and this problem only popped up when it starts to get below freezing. No issue for two years and then today it happened again. A mechanic friend of mine said it was probably the solenoid on the brake pedal. Found your video and hallelujah, the answer to a six year mystery. Thank you so much
I watched your video, walked outside with WD40 in hand and pulled the boot off. I turned the key watched, sprayed a tiny squirt and it immediately disengaged. I am so thankful. Thank you so much. What a blessing!
The dealer wanted 120.00/hr to diagnose the problem. Your video came up first when I asked the Google and your solution worked perfectly! Thank you!!!!!
Brother! You saved my life! Isn’t 02 Dakota has been parked for 3+ years because I couldn’t get the shifter out of park. It wasn’t too much of an issue since I hadny own personal company vehicle. But then tragedy struck & I fell at work shattering my knee. After being off work for 4 weeks my employer finally picked up my company rig, as the tools and such were needed to complete other jobs.. This left me completely stranded as I had absolutely no working vehicle, my Jeep was in the garage getting a new clutch(which I wasn’t able to work on w/ a broken knee). Uber was costing me a fortune, $100+ round trip to Dr. Appointments, which I had many; shattering my leg and all.. I had already changed the brake pedal switch out w/ no luck. Then while feeling defeated, depressed & disabled, I stumbled across your video. And POOF! Eureka!! It worked! it worked! Thank you! Thank you for taking the time to share this gem! From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Here's another tip: as pointed out by another poster, there is also a brake switch that can just as easily hang up your interlock. In my initial troubleshooting I discovered that at times I could get the shifter out of park if I stomped down on the brake pedal. You can spritz a little WD-40 on the plunger of the brake pedal switch while you're at it. The switch is up high on the brake lever. Just hold down the brake pedal, hit the plunger, and then let go of the pedal and the plunger will go back into the switch housing. Work your brake pedal several times to distribute the WD-40. Now you've hit both of the interlocks that can freeze up. If the plunger won't free up, or if your brake lights don't come on, check your fuses. If they're all OK, replace the brake light switch.
Had my 2001 Durango not shift out of park this morning. I tried rocking the vehicle and turning the wheel, but it did not work. Found your video and it fixed the problem! I appreciate you taking the time to put the video out there because it saved me a tow!
Thank you very much!!!!!!!
2001 Dakota, 132,000 miles, love this truck. About two months ago started having trouble shifting from Park. Worse when it was cold. Below freezing was taking several minutes. This fix FIXED it. Thanks so much. Rubber boot on shift lever has a square plastic piece that easily separates from the steering column, hose metal parts with WD-40. EASY, no tools required.
I bought a 2002 Dakota this past weekend. Monday night this happened to me. You saved me from buying a switch, a few shots of WD-40 Dry Lube and the problem has disappeared. Thanks a bunch.
Can't say enough how much this was appreciated! It fixed the problem on my 2004. Easy to do by removing the boot. Many many thanks. It's a bad feeling when you get stuck.
Thank you so much. You resolve my issue and I’m back on the road within minutes. I was at the Jimmy Johns parking lot getting ready to deliver some lunch to my elderly parents who have been stuck in their retirement community for the last eight months and went to Google and found your video and you saved the day.
I realize you posted this 7 years ago, but it helped relieve a large amount of stress for me today. thank you so much!!
You ABSOLUTELY saved me a towing yesterday. THANK YOU and the gal from the restaurant Lucky Star who found your video. ❤
As has been said by so many others, thank you. My '04 Dakota did this on a cold morning and after letting it run for about 15 minutes I finally shifted fine. I drove it to where I was going and parked it only to be stuck again. I managed to get it out of park after another 20 minutes or so and found your video once back at home. I love an easy fix!
I've been having this very problem on my 2001 R/T for the past couple of weeks... seemed to be getting worse... thought I might be in for an expensive tranny repair.... but, thanks to your tip, I pulled back the rubber boot, gave a couple of squirts of WD-40 on the locking pin, slide and lever and low and behold... the problem is FIXED!! Thanks bro... you have save me a few sleepless nights... easiest repair I have made in years ;-)
You sir, are a rockstar for posting this!! I cant believe this problem was fixed with a fraction of a cent worth of WD-40 and a few minutes of time!
Worked like a charm on my '01 Dakota. I was beginning to stress about what it could be and how much $$$!
Thank you for taking the time to help others out! Very much appreciated!!
Thanks you!!! I had the same problem with my '02 Durango after sitting out in the ice & snow for a couple of days. I saw your video, pulled the shifter boot off & lubed up the locking mechanism & it shifted in gear with ease. There is a brake interlock also, but it wasn't the problem. You can tell that the truck wanted to go into gear when the brake was applied, just that the ignition lock was at least partially holding it up. In contrast to trying to shift when not applying the brake, which the shifter wouldn't move at all. Thanks again, your video saved me a tow & repair bill!!!
Had been having intermittent issues with our 2002 Durango until it would not shift from park at all. Took all of 5 minutes to resolve the problem, thanks to your time and effort! Much appreciated!
My 2001 Dodge Durango RT has had this problem off & on for years after it sits for a few days. Your solution was 'right on'....I pulled back the rubber boot, sprayed WD40 generously & slid the locking mechanism. Many thanks to you for posting!!
Thank you, thank you, for your video. It was -20 and my dodge dakota sport was stuck in park. Had to leave it sit overnight. After doing some searching on the web, I found your video, so we went to try it on my truck. Low and behold, we did exactly what you did and we got ot out of park and back home! Thanks again, and it saved us a tow charge.
Thank You. I was stuck in a parking lot and my truck wouldn't go out of park. Great video, straight to the point.
Gonna jump on the bandwagon of thanks. Solved the problem for my 2008 Dodge Dakota. I was worried it was going to be very time intensive to chase down a problem and have to take LOTS of panels and covers off to expose the area to fix. I was easily able to pull the rubber housing back and push the lever in (as an initial fix) and got the truck out of park. Lifesaver ... THANKS!!!!!
THANK YOU! I've been fighting this problem for longer than I care to admit. Like you, I also had the impression that there was an electronic interlock integrated into the cable. Thinking the "electronic interlock" had failed, I began searching for a new shift cable - that's when I stumbled across your video. I popped off the boot around the gear shift, turned the key a couple of times and observed exactly what you described. I hit it with WD-40, manually moved the interlock back and forth a few times and now it's working PERFECTLY. So quick and easy.... it literally took longer to watch your video that it did to fix the problem.
Thanks again
Thank you so much for this video!! This has been an off and on problem for our 2002 Dakota for the past 3 years. It never really got totally stuck until today. With two kids in college and just getting through Christmas, we just didn't have the funds to get the truck fixed. So I found your video and showed my husband. He removed the rubber boot around the gear shift and fixed it. He sprayed it with WD40 and it works fantastic! So thanks again for turning our bad morning into a great one!!!!
This info is still good after 10 yrs. I changed my trans fluid and filter again yesterday and this morning it didn't want to come out of park twice on me, I thought how in the world did changing the fluid cause this? I found your video and fixed it in 5 min., many thanks for posting this....
You are the bomb! Our 2001 Durango shifter was starting to get sticky getting out of park. Your video came up 1st on my Google Search and save me hours of time and energy researching and disassembling the column cover. I am so thankful you took the time to post this!!
Thanks man I replaced my cable a while back it took a month to find on when I Finley found it it was out of a Durango not a dakato had to modifie it but worked thanks to you I was hoping it was not the same it was what you said my first you tube was your Video thanks so much have a happy New Year you awesome
Thanks for taking the time to share this. I also got stuck in park during this cold snap and I'm up and running now. You rock!
Very very helpful. This guy is a life saver. Took me 30 seconds to get out of park. Thank you very much.
I can't say Thank You enough, for this video. My 04 Dakota Sport Plus Quad Cab started sticking. Other videos I found suggested adjusting the shift cable, via some alignment hole on the shift cable housing. I couldn't find any alignment hole, without further dis-assembly. I stumbled upon your vid, while looking for that other vid. Thank God! I solved the problem with ease. Easy to check too, just with boot off. Turn on key, and that in turn, actuates mechanism that pulls the square pin ( shift interlock) downwards. Mine didn't want to go down, but as soon as I touched it, it would pop down. Just sticky. Thanks again.
Just the problem on my 02 Dakota left stranded at the pump! Really appreciate you taking the time to make and post this video.
SPOT ON!!!! I have an 02 Durango and between watching the video and pulling the boot off and sparying WD-40 on the slide, this litterally was resolved within minutes!!! Awesome Video! Thank you!
Just wanted to say THANK YOU SO MUCH ! I've had this problem more than once this winter and it's no fun !! Especially with my 3 year old son in the truck ! Thank you again for sharing !
Thank you so much. I was getting ready to call for a wrecker. Pulled the boot off and found the button. Worked perfect. You rock.
Wow, Super tip. All kinds of posts on this issue on these trucks. After finding the issue most are off-base talking about some servo,etc. Your video cut straight to the issue, and saved me a ton of time since you can go through the hole for the boot as you suggested. Plus now I am not worried if it ever acts up again. I can be back on the road in no time. Thanks, from yet another greatful googler.
Outstanding video! I am a professional mechanic and this poor customer of ours has had his truck towed to my shop twice, both times the shifter worked fine. I found this video, which lead me to check the slide, and it was definitely not sliding smoothly. Thanks a ton for this great video!!
Thanks so much man. That was it. I slid back the rubber boot covering the gear shift and just pushed it with my finger as I turned the key and viola it moved and allowed me to move the shifter out of park. It was that mechanical stop you mentioned. You saved me a bunch of money...... I have noticed a lot of advice on the internet is from so called expert mechanics and the advice they give is the expensive fixes. It's always best to start with the easy, cheap fixes first like this one and then work your way up to the more complicated, expensive fixes.
Excellent! I got stuck today in Park off and on (intermittently) and found this video. Back out to the Durango, tried turning the key several times until it got stuck again, and with one spritz of WD-40, without even moving anything else, the interlock slid out of the way.
I am noticing a common theme while looking around the Internet - the word "cold" keeps coming up. Presently we're in the middle of the polar vortex pattern of the Winter of 2014. It's been colder here in the Mid-Atlantic than ever on record. Cold weather does funny things to a car, including gumming up lubricants. So the WD-40 fix (since WD-40 is a thin, penetrating lubricant) was a great idea.
So far this week between my two cars in this FRIGID weather, I've had a failed water pump, failed alternator, and this. It had been an expensive week already - thanks for the video! It's also good to know what to do to unstick the interlock, rather than be stranded.
You made my day! What I thought may be a repair nightmare was a 60 second fix with WD-40. Simply pulled the rubber boot out of the way, used the WD-40 spray tube to shoot a little on the slide mechanism and and it shifted out of Park smooth as a big 'ol stick of butter! Sweet!
Was about ready to call the mechanic but decided to check RUclips. 3 minutes later I had the problem fixed! Thanks!
11 yes later and you're still saving the day. Thanks for verifying what I thought was wrong.
THANK YOU!!! Your video saved me.i hosed the steering column down trying to get it to work , and then I saw your video. 5 minutes later I was driving away. You, sir, are awesome!!
THANK YOU! My 2001 dodge dakota was stuck in park this morning but with your help its up and running again! Thanks again!
You are wonderful for posting this and that's what happened to mine so right after watching this my husband ran outside to try it and it WORKS! Thank you
Thanks SouthPaw. Mechanic charged me $280 to replace the Interlock Shifter Cable. Thought it was fixed,,. but problem was not resolved. After seeing your video, problem resolved. Many thanks.
This video saved me...you my man are ROCKSTAR!! Thought my transmission was going out, turned out to be a simple thing. Awesome!! Thanks again for posting.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for this video!!!! Our 2002 Dakota started doing this just as our weather dropped into the -40 range. You saved me some serious heartache on this issue! We had assumed the issue was that the Truck was just too cold for the shifter to engage, but I was getting extremely frustrated at this point as I had been running the truck for over an hour by this point. Then my husband found your video, called me, explained it to me, and just like that I was home and warm! Thank you! ^_^
Life saver!!! This has been happening for weeks and this solved the problem. Thank you for taking the time to record and post this.
wao thank God I found you and this video. You saved me from going nuts trying to find the problem in my 2001 dakota. thanks for taking your time and doing this video. God bless you
Electricsouthpaw's, you are the man! Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Just experienced the problem this morning, when my wife was leaving for work. I have a 2001 Durango that was parked on the driveway behind my wife's car in the garage. Needless to say she was not happy. Fortunately, I was able to get her to work on time. Found your video. Pop the shifter boot. Found the same issue was the same. WD40ed it and no more problem! Thank you again and thanks to everyone that post videos on how to fix things! V~
my 02 dakota r/t was stuck in park thankfully in front of my house. did what you said and problem solved. thanks for putting this on you tube and saving me from a big headache
I was just getting ready to call a tow truck. Watched the video and tried it. Worked perfectly. My Dakota is a 2002 and looked a little different, but worked perfectly. Thank you for posting this video, save me a ton of money.
Thanks a ton! You just got me unstuck from a 7/11 parking lot on my way to work. You're a life saver!! Thanks again!
Thanks a million dude this saved my life. I was freaking out stranded in a parking lot and it worked like a charm.
Perfect video. took all of 30 seconds to complete. All the comments below and the comments of the videographer are all spot on. Thansk so much!!!!!!
Had this exact issue just minutes ago. Hadn't driven the Dodge for over 6mos due to some other issues, just got it going and it wouldn't get out of gear...followed your lead and got her back on the road. Thanks!
Hey you fellow southpaw,
THANK YOU. I´ve got a 2003 Dakota that looks identical. My automatic shifter began to get sticy in Park, just as the weather started getting cold. And all this time I futured it was the brake light switch down at the pedal. Figured out that it wasn´t the switch, but only after replacing it for 14 bucks. I´ll get the beast inside and open that up and get some good lubricant on it. I really appreciate your sharing it and will pay it forward to next guy.
Thank you for the video. My 2002 Dakota was locked up and followed your guidance and the issue was resolved.
This was a big help to me.-this has been going on for a few years on and off
I use my van for gig and many of times I would freak when my van wouldn't shift out of park. I was planing on taking the van to my maniac tomorrow for I have an important show coming up. Anyway thank to you I don't have to take it. I took the boot off and spray it with WD40 and its working fine. Thank you every much for sharing
This fixed it!, Dakota 2003, was told i'd have to change my breaklight switch, but after seeing this, i'm glad i waited. was able see the block sticking, was able to free it manually, and verifyied it was good after WD40. This was just what i needed, Thanks
Thanks so much for sharing! I have been dealing with this every winter, below freezing Canadian temps where it finally completely locked up. To others, just clip the selector boot off and you will see everything. The boot easily clips back into place. I lubed mine up with spray white lithium grease.
Awesome!!!!!! Just had my Durango shipped from Pennsylvania to Tennessee and this happened. Thank you so much for this information!!!!
Much gratitude for your insight and post!!! Been happening to my 2009 Dodge Durango for years, during cold weather. Dodge had a recall on shift interlock, but (naturally) not for my year. Thanks, again!!!!!!!!!!
Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou.. I have an 02 dakota which has occasionly been stuck in park.. VERY FRUSTRATING, left it at the post office all night. But after viewing you post, I popped out the rubber sleeve around the shifter and pushed the little metal pin and PRESTO!! then gave it a shot of wd40 and works great.. BUT I did find a recall for this so I will bring it in to a dodge dealer for a freefix (safety recall G28-ignition/park shift interlock) pics like this r worth more than words.
Fixed my truck when I went to sell it. You’re a life saver.
10 years after your post. AND YOU SAVED ME A 400 TOW BILL. OMG WHAT A STUPID SYSTEM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You were right on!!! took me about 2 minute to fix the problem. Thanks!!! Its people like you sharing your knowledge that make the web so great!!
This problem has caused me so much hassle and a couple hundred bucks. Thank you so much for sharing this information! I'm sure no mechanic would show me this trick. Anyhow Dude you are the man. Total game changer and just made my day. Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!!!!!!
Your video was a big help for me. Really appreciate you taking the time to show folks how to resolve this problem. Well done and blessings on you for this. Neil- Dallas, TX.
Thanks for a much appreciated time saver. Consequently I am Just Now Working on my 2001 Dodge 3500 Maxi Van because the Trans temp lite came on and I believe it is stuck in " Limp Mode" code P0753. Computer scan says it's the 3-4 shift solenoid relay condition. It says the ECM has detected an open or shorted condition on the relay circut. I had just dropped the trans pan looked for anything unusual, broken pieces, replaced a few parts and the fluid and filter, added a can of Seafoam transmission cleaner, and ordered and recieved a magnefine filter, which I'll Install when I get a chance. The truck has been good so far but it does nickel and dime me with about 12 different minor problems since I bought it with 40K, from Pennsylvania. Now has 96K. I Have never before been knocked upside my head by a Southpaw before but I can see that you are a good guy for posting this! I hope my tranny shifts now, I thought it was something I did. I saw Dodge put a little grease on that slide, but it wasn't enough evidently. Take care and Good Luck, John H.
Greatest video of all time! Thank you so much! Fixed it right up
Thanks for making this video. Fixed the problem on my 2001 Dakota. Wish I would have seen this before buying the brake light switch. This right here is why I love RUclips.
Twelve year old video and you're still saving peoples' a$$. Saved mine too. Thanks!
This just worked for me.
2002 Dakota.
Pulled off the boot, lever sticking just as described.
One shot WD40. Working fine.
Excellent video, thanks!!
I thought no way...but it worked on my 2006 Dakota, right before I was going to buy a solenoid. Still valuable information 10 years later after posting!
Omg....thank you for posting this and explaining about the rubber boot we did exactly what u said and it work3d..ty
Thank you so much for this video! I have a 2002 Dodge Durango and this is the second time that this has happened to me. The first time I was at a gas station and couldn't lave and ended up having a tow. I ended up with hundreds of dollars of expenses. This is the second time; pop off a little over, a few squirts of WD40, all fixed!!! Thank you!!
I wish I would have seen this a long time ago. I also considered a solenoid or neutral safety switch. Very good job on starting with basic mechanics. I approve of your work friend.
Thank you so much for taking the time to post this . I see a lot of other people have also said thank you as well . This is the most helpful video I've ever viewed. You explained everything in detail. I wish you the best because,that was exactly what was wrong with my truck for years . Words can't explain how thankful I am for your post and helpfulness. Thank you from the bottom of my heart !!!!
My 2003 Dodge Dakota is doing the same damn thing. It did it a few times here and there. Now it's been like in the teens weather wise. Went to a school play and sat in the parking lot for 10 mins trying to get her out of Park. You're the first video that popped up and from the sounds of it, you figured out my issue as well!! Now I know what I need to do in the morning. I fucking hate this truck. It's a money pit. At least this one I can fix myself! Kudos to you sir!!
I want to thank you for posting this video , it save me a towing bill and I had it fixed in less then 5 minutes . Thanks .
Thank you for this, my 2002 did it an hour ago so I went underneath and put it in gear moving the linkage lever with a tire iron and got home. The dodge dealer in Renton WA service dept. failed to pick up the phone, so that's one stupid idiot that will never get my money or any work on my truck. I knew it was locked up in the steering column and you just verified it and saved me a lot of time and $. Thanks for your video.
Great video. Just bought a used '04 Ram and at the first fill up 5 miles away from the seller's house, I couldn't get out of park. Managed to jiggle it loose, but will now be lubricating that slide with WD40 to prevent the issue.
You just saved my butt! I am sitting in my truck and it’s -20° and I couldn’t get it to move. Thanks a million.
Thanks. A three minute video with clear instructions, a squirt of WD-40 and all is well. Thank you very much.
Never have had luck with any type of fix it video but this one works like a dream great video
Yahoo!!! Did not think it would be this easy. My 2002 Dodge Dakota was doing the same thing. This worked. Just pull back the rubber around the shifter at the column. Sprayed WD-40 on both sides of the screw looking thing in the center of the slide. On side of this screw looking thing key off, then other side with key on. BANG! She's working again great......
Thank-you soooo much for making this video and showing me exactly what and where. Of course I found the video after I took the panel off from under the steering column and spent half an hour looking for the solenoid that another site said was by the brake light switch. Took me all of 30 seconds to pop off the rubber boot on the shifter and spray some WD40 on it. Works like a champ now. Thanks Again!
Thanks so much. I was worried this was going to be some expensive transmission problem. Just took care of it and works like a champ again. Happy New Year!
You made my day too!!! Haven't been able to get out of the drive way 9 days, Thanks to Your Video I'm on the road again !!!
Had mine get stuck today. Took the rubber boot off and found that stop sticking up, pushed it in and got it out of park. Happy to see your video so I know I don't need to buy anything other than some lube. Was thinking I'd needed a new cylinoid, a new mechanism or some springs (and I was dreading taking that mechanism apart......more so putting it back together). Ha. Thanks for the video.
Great tip here thank you!!! Was beginning to have this problem like everyone else here, just popped the rubber boot off and one shot of tri-flow got the lock to retract properly.
OMG I am so glad you posted this video. You did help someone else....ME:) My 2002 dakota wouldn't come out of park and I did exactly what you said and it worked. I also sprayed a little lube in to keep it working. I don't have alot of money to pay for tow or repair so you saved me. I sure appreciate your help!
Same problem on my 02 Dakota thank you for posting video saved me alot of time money and heartache. Bless You!
I was about to check the whole shifting linkage. Total time saver. Thanks for sharing this.
Yes sir thanks for posting this as you saved me $200. Fixed the problem on my 2003 Dakota with a little DW40 and knowing how and where to look.
Thank you!!!! I have been late to work almost every day for 2 weeks because of this problem. Such an easy fix, and no garage bill!
Thanks for posting, saved me a ton of time, took longer to find a flashlight and lube than the repair!