Hi Guys - I need some help. I have a 2002 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab automatic. I drove to Lowes to this morning with no problem. As I left the store, the shifter doesnt want to get out of park. Never noticed anything with transmission slipping or such. I can hear the "tick" when I press the brake but for some reason it is not allowing me to shift out of park. Break lights work. Any help?

When that happened to me in my 1985 GMC Sierra, the bands inside the transmission had broken...I sure hope that's not the case for you...

The tick you hear when pressing on the Brake pedel is the shifter release. Was it parked on an incline that maybe put the parking pawl in a bind? Hope it ain't too serious.

usa1 you have a shifter interlock to keep the transmission from going into gear without your foot on the brake,if it is a column mounted shifter you will have to take the knee panel loose and look up inside by your shifter you will see a plunger type electro magnet type piston that is supposed to release the pin when you apply the brake,you will have to pull that pin back to release the shifter,if it is floor mounted shifter which i doubt but anyway pull the cover directly over the shiftr and push the release handle until the shifter will move.good luck some of them can be hard to get to.

Recall 07V555000: A/T Shift Interlock Defect
Notes

MAKE/MODELS: MODEL/BUILD YEARS:

Dodge/Dakota 2001-2002

Dodge/Durango 2001-2002

Dodge/RAM Pickup 2002

Dodge/RAM Van 2001-2002

MANUFACTURER: Chrysler LLC.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V555000

MFR'S REPORT DATE: December 04, 2007

COMPONENT: Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Lever and Linkage: Column Shift

POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 576418

SUMMARY:
On certain van and pickup trucks equipped with automatic transmissions, the ignition/park shift interlock system may become inoperative. This can allow the shifter to be moved out of the "PARK" position with the ignition key removed (or in the "LOCK" position). This can also allow the ignition key to be removed when the shifter has not been placed in the "PARK" position.

CONSEQUENCE:
Either of these conditions could allow the vehicle to roll away causing a crash without warning.

REMEDY:
Dealers will replace the gearshift blocker and bracket assembly free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during January 2008. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

NOTES:
Chrysler recall No. G28. Customers may also contact The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

If none of the above worked, try moving your steering wheel. Sometimes the wheel can "lock" in place making it impossible to shift.

Thanks Everyone.

On Sunday, I had vehicle towed to Eagle Transmission in Watauga on Rufe Snow. I got a call back from the owner (Todd) and was told my truck was ready on Monday. I said how can it be ready when I didn't approve repairs yet? He said the technician opened the steering column case and applied some oil to some part and that was all it needed. I asked welll how much I owe ya? He said nothing. I went for my vehicle and handed the owner $40 so he can get some lunch for his workers. I appreciated his honesty!

Thanks again for the suggestions!

That's good to know but, if a part had to be oiled for it to work, it's gonna need oiling again in the near future. Now that you know where the problem exist, have it relooked an fixed properly. Just my nickle worth.

I had that happen with my Nissan Sentra and it was the brake switch handing up.

That is what I would check first. I know on some makes the brake lights will not work either, pointing to brake light switch.