79 Dodge Ramcharger will not start in park

wsmm · Regular Joined: 19 Sep 2004 Posts: 58 Report to Moderator

My 1979 Dodge RamCharger with 318 and automatic trans, will not start in park. It will however start fine in neutral. Any ideas on what the problem is and how to fix it?

Thanks,
Bill

Kentb of SWMO

There are contacts on the manuel linkage of the transmission valve body the make the contact for start in park and neutral. The first thing I would do is see if you could tighten the neutral safety switch into the transmission case. If this does not fix the problem you will most likely have to drop the pan on the transmission. If there is nothing else wrong with the transmission, I would live with the problem.

Kent

Kris Golden

sounds like the safety switch on the steering column is slightly out of adjustment - I'm not familiar with Dodges but the switch should be low on the column - lay in the floor and look up usually a plastic nut that is realitively easy to get to ??? that is a good anti-theft devise you have -- I have a Ford pickup that is that way and I never have take the keys out Smile

Bob

The switch on his goat will be found screwed into the side of the tranny. There is a fancy "rooster comb" thingy that operates it which has probably shed a piece of plastic so there's nothing to contact (and operate) the neutral-start switch in the "park" position.

Chester

Those have a 1/2" horiz. rod (torque shaft)running in plastic bushings as part of the shift linkage. When they wear, the gearshift control lever does not get pulled ahead far enough to operate the neutral switch. Check the bushings and/or have someone push on that lever (on the side of the transmission) when you try to start it. It may not be going fully into park either, so check that also so it doesn"t run away sometime ( if you rarely use the parking brake)

Tried to find a linkage picture on line but no luck. But, this is the bushing
Link Bushing

wsmm · Regular Joined: 19 Sep 2004 Posts: 58 Report to Moderator

Problem resolved. Body mount had rusted out long ago. Had a plate in last winter, but brother in law lost it while plowing. Put in new bar to pick body up off frame once again, and as a result shift rod was hanging upo on frame. Needed to heat and rebned shift rod coming from the column. Then need to clearance the firewall crimp to get st gear. Ramcharger is old and rusty so didn"t mind doind it. Thanks for all of the help and suggestions.

Bill