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Shifter: suddenly has two “extra” detents

BuzzLightning2023

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So, I’m doing some low speed parking and departing today and I keep putting the truck in the wrong gear. I figure I’ve just forgotten how to drive this very day. When I’m back safely in my drive way I test it. Sure enough, pulling from P to R the shifter has a detent and is still in P. Same thing at the bottom when I go from D to N. Already made appt. at dealership.
“I’m an excellent driver.” Rainman
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Maquis

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The shifter in our trucks is one of the most unnecessarily complex designs in automotive history. It’s a huge mechanical contraption that needs a motor to function when all it needs to be is a simple electrical switch.
 
OP
OP
BuzzLightning2023

BuzzLightning2023

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Agreed. I won’t drive it until it’s fixed. I don’t want it to get into my head that I might or might not be in the right gear…
 

Adventureboy

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I had this happen a couple of times in 2 years. I found folding the handle, turning the truck off, back on then unfolding it straightened it out. It seems to loose its detent locations once in a while and needs to reset itself.
 

MTcowpoke

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As @Adventureboy says, fold your shifter down and back up, should straighten out. I've messed mine up numerous times chasing cattle when I slam shift between forward and reverse. My guess is a stepper motor gets out of sync.
 

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BuzzLightning2023

BuzzLightning2023

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I had this happen a couple of times in 2 years. I found folding the handle, turning the truck off, back on then unfolding it straightened it out. It seems to loose its detent locations once in a while and needs to reset itself.
I appreciate that! I won’t try it until I make the dealer try to fix it. It’s a real safety issue and I want to make sure it goes on its permanent record to secure my warranty rights.
 

Adventureboy

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I appreciate that! I won’t try it until I make the dealer try to fix it. It’s a real safety issue and I want to make sure it goes on its permanent record to secure my warranty rights.
Agree, it is quite annoying and dangerous when things don't line up on the shifter. Wouldn't surprise me if there is a recall on this one at some point.
 

rdr854

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This is a known problem. My shifter assembly was replaced under warranty.
 

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ChippewaBarr

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The shifter in our trucks is one of the most unnecessarily complex designs in automotive history. It’s a huge mechanical contraption that needs a motor to function when all it needs to be is a simple electrical switch.
Absolutely.

The MachE one is perfect and when we traded it in for the Lightning I couldn't believe how antiquated the Lightning one felt...but I guess they had to appease the traditional truck owner crowd (as if tons of SUVs and cars don't use dials already).

Also the MachE dial would have been a no brainer to use especially with the fold out work platform in the console...way more practical than a FOLDING DOWN SHIFTER lol
 

MaintGrl

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MTcowpoke

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In my world of use dials suck. I have one Ram with the dial transfer case and I'm always stuck before I can reach the dial and turn it one click while plowing through mud or snow. With a shifter stick you have a positive grip on linear motion while in rough conditions. I realize the vast majority of people don't use their trucks like I do but I really appreciate having the shifter even if it is a glorified switch.
 

TaxmanHog

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My shifter has four distinct detents, nothing in between PRND, might be the OP's shifter is on the verge of failure, better to get it inspected and replaced if it's defective.
 
 





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