Dodge Ram Gear Selector Problems - Reasons and Ways to Fix

Dodge Ram trucks are known for their reliability, ruggedness, and good performance. However, they can experience shifting problems over time, ranging from inaccurate gear display to difficulty shifting. Understanding these issues will help you identify, address, and prevent gear selector problems on your Dodge Ram.

Common gear selector problems associated with Dodge Ram include delayed gear shifts, loose gear selectors, being stuck in park mode, difficulty shifting between gears, and inaccurate gear indicators. Issues like a clogged transmission filter, faulty shift linkage, bad transmission wiring or relay, and dirty transmission fluid can cause these problems in your Dodge Ram truck.

In this article, I will talk about the following:

• Symptoms of a faulty Dodge Ram gear selector
• Common Dodge Ram gear selector problems and causes
• How to fix Dodge Ram gear selector issues
• Can you drive a Dodge Ram with selector problems?
• How much does it cost to fix selector problems in Dodge Rams?

Let's get into it!

Symptoms of a faulty gear selector in a Dodge Ram

Faulty gear selectors in Dodge Rams can cause panic, derail your journey, and make your truck malfunction entirely. You should therefore be acquainted with the tell-tale signs of a faulty gear selector to take immediate action to remedy the situation. Here are those symptoms:

• The gear indicator on the dashboard does not match the gear selected
• Delayed gear engagement
• Difficulty in shifting between gears
• Loose gear selector
• Selector sliding to the next gear without your input
• Selector getting stuck in neutral or park modes
• Hard or delayed 3 to 4 or 4 to 5 gear shifts

Common Dodge Ram gear selector problems and causes

Gear selector issues in the Dodge Ram began in the early 2000s. These problems persisted in the 1500, 2500, 4500, and 5500 models manufactured between 2010 and 2016. Here is an outline of such issues and their corresponding causes:

1) Improper or slow gear shifts

A common issue with Dodge Ram selectors is delayed or incorrect gear shifts. That mainly occurs when you go through the first to the third gear. You can also experience it when shifting from gear three to four.

Probable reasons:

•  If the problem occurs in gears one to three, the likely reason is the pressure solenoid or sensor. When the solenoid gets stuck or wears out, it hinders the proper operation of the gear selector. A faulty sensor will also cause incorrect readings of the solenoid position resulting in improper gear shifts.
• When the issue affects the fourth gear, the problem emanates from the overdrive solenoid. The solenoid acts as a pressure accumulator. If the solenoid is worn out, it fails to generate adequate oil pressure to engage the gears.
• Another possible cause could be dirty transmission filters or low transmission fluid levels.

2) Getting stuck in park mode

Sometimes the Dodge Ram can fail to shift from the park or neutral position.

Probable causes:

• Parking on a hill. When you park your Dodge Ram on elevated grounds, gravity puts extra pressure on the parking pawl in the transmission, causing it to jam.
• Shift interlock failure. The shift lock solenoid prevents the Dodge Ram from shifting from park mode to other gears without hitting the brakes. A faulty solenoid will make the Ram stuck even when you use the brakes.
• Faulty shift linkage. When the shift linkage is bent or loose, your Ram will be stuck in park mode indefinitely.

3) Loose gear selector

The shifter in Dodge Ram's cabin takes input from the driver to shift the truck into the required gear. Sometimes, the selector becomes loose, slipping into an undesired gear.

Probable reasons:

• Loose shifter cable. The shifter cable is fixed with bolts and nuts at the end. These connections can get loose due to wear and tear and vibrations making the shifter move freely.
• It has a broken shifter cable. The shifter cable is prone to bending, stretching, wearing, and tearing. That may break the cable completely, thus cutting off the connection between the selector and the transmission.
• Faulty torque converter. Dodge Ram with automatic transmissions has a torque converter with a rotor, pump, and turbine. Sometimes, these components may malfunction, making the transmission " slide" as you shift gears.

4) Difficulties when engaging or disengaging reverse and drive gears

Dodge Ram trucks that use the 65RFE 6-speed automatic transmissions can have issues when shifting gears. These problem manifests as knocks or clunks when you shift to neutral, drive or reverse gears. Often, there is no 'check engine light signal.

Probable reasons:

• The clunk issues can be caused by incorrect underdrive clutch position. To solve this issue, install a spacer plate in the valve body.
• Difficulty in shifting to drive or reverse can be a sign of worn-out low-reverse solenoid assembly.

5) Delayed gear engagement

Dodge Ram trucks manufactured up to 2006 can experience delay in shifting into reverse or drive. That happens especially when the vehicle is cold or turned off for a while. In some cases, the 'check engine' light may turn on.

Probable reasons:

• The transmission cooler filter may be loose or have fallen out of the thread. That makes the transmission fluid drain causing initial delays.
• Other possible reasons can be improper transmission fluid or dirty transmission filters.

6) The selector is getting stuck in the fourth and fifth gears

Shifting gears on a Dodge Ram is essential to attain a specific speed, force, and thrust. The selector may get stuck in the fourth gear in Some Dodge Rams. That is depressing.

Probable reasons:

• That may occur when the truck's computer system fails to receive, process, and execute commands. The dysfunctional computer system can further complicate the shifting of the other gears making the truck inoperative.
• Accumulated rocks and debris under the cable hooks can constrain the movement of the gear.
• Failure of the solenoid and the transmission system

7) Buzzing sound when you engage the reverse gear

Dodge Ram trucks with 46RE 4-speed automatic transmissions may produce buzzing sounds when you shift into reverse. That mainly occurs when the truck is cold.

Probable reasons:

• Your Ram may have a faulty regulator valve.
• Other causes may include; torn pump gasket, cracked pump housings, constrained transmission cooler flow, and low transmission fluid level.

How do you fix shifting problems in your Dodge Ram?

As explained above, there are myriad reasons why your Dodge Ram may be experiencing gear selector issues. However, the two leading causes are faulty transmission sensors and relays. Let's look at how you can fix these two problems, amongst others:

1) Tightening or replacing the transmission sensors

Loose sensors on the Dodge Ram can make the transmission have shifting problems. You may observe your Ram struggling to change from one gear to another.

This scenario is no cause for alarm because you can tighten the sensors to resolve the issue. If you notice that the sensor is damaged, you can take the Ram to your technician for repair or replacement.

2) Check the transmission relay/wire.

If a transmission wire is faulty, your Ram is likely to shift from the first gear to the third gear. When you observe the selector behaving as such, take a voltmeter and measure the voltage on the transmission terminals. If the voltage is standard, check out for faulty electrical wires using a multimeter and replace them to fix the shifting problem.

3) Replace the failed shift solenoid.

As the solenoid serves as a pressure accumulator, replacing it when worn out is prudent so that the shift solenoid can generate adequate pressure to engage the gears. That, in turn, fixes your Dodge Ram selector problems.

4) Check the transmission's fluid levels and filter.

Replenish the transmission fluid if it is low and check out for debris or built-up dirt on the filter. Clean up or replace the filter when necessary. Do those two things, and your shifting problems will disappear!

Can you drive a Dodge Ram with gear selector problems?

It is unsafe to drive a Ram with a faulty shifter. The problem may cause further complications to your vehicle or, in the worst-case scenario, cause a terrible accident.

When you observe the signs of a bad selector, check the possible reasons that could be causing the malfunction and fix the problem before you drive the truck. Alternatively, you can tow the Dodge Ram to the nearest repair shop or call a technician if you are not confident you can fix the problem.

How much will it cost to fix the gear selector problem?

The cost depends on the nature of the problem your selector has. For instance, if the shifter linkage is broken, a new one will cost you between 80 to 120 USD, and the labor will cost 100-200 USD. If the selector requires a transmission rebuild, be ready to part with 2000-3000 USD.

To wrap up

After reading this article, I hope you don't need to panic when your Dodge Ram experiences gear selector problems. In case you forgot, the main Dodge Ram Trucks' gear selector problems are delayed gear engagement, difficulty engaging gears, and loose selectors. You can solve or prevent these problems by replacing the sensors, wires and fixing issues relating to the transmission.