Problem with the gear shifter and 4 wheel drive

The car has an interlock system that prevents you from shifting without putting your foot on the brake ..The brake pedal switch not only controls the stop lights, but also sends voltage to an actuator that unlocks the gear shift. Check the brake pedal switch for failure or loose connections or blown fuse that feeds that circuit . If you look in your Manuel there is a way to override and unlock the gearshift incase of voltage failure.

shifter interlocker . It's a safety device that won't allow the shifter to be taken out of park unless your foot is on the brake pedal . Your going to break it by forcing out of park . Brake switch could be bad or locking solenoid in gear shifter .
Symptom Chart Condition Possible Sources Action

• The shift interlock system does not release/lock correctly

• Circuitry.
• Fuse(s).
• Shift lock actuator.
• Brake pedal position switch.

• Go To Pinpoint Test E .

The shifter problem is most like a very cheap fix. Look under your car where the shifter linkage is. At the elbow, is where a bushing falls apart and breaks. Can use zip ties to fix temporarily, but need to get a new bushing. rockauto dot com has them in stock, it's a "Help" brand made by Dorman, part # 14055 ORRR you can use the Help variety pack at the local autoparts store and make one work too. You need to have your break booster and or system blead and looked at if your brakes are hard to push down.

Check your brakes make sure the calipers are not loked up can you move the gear shifter into all the gears usaully if it is a fuse or relay tied to the brake system does cause the breaks to lock up and depend if yoy have 4wd or awd is the transfer case locked up if you have diffs. Most likely drive train issuse or tied to it what kind of vehicle year make and model

Replace the brake light switch if the brakes not coming on, its on the brake paddle. Gear shifter is powered through the brake light switch.

There is a lock mechanism that prevents moving shifter out of PARK unless your foot is on the brake. You can bypass this by sticking a small flat blade screwdriver or a key into the little slot on the console by the shift lever.

Are your brake lights coming on when you press the brake pedal?The shift lock is released electrically when your foot is on the brake, and the sensor is tied to the brake light switch circuit. The brake light switch can be seen if you look under the dash at the brake arm. First, check the connector. If the switch is out of adjustment, you can screw it in or out to adjust. Or just buy a new one.

there are 2 systems.
one is a part time system only.the 4x4 locks and is for ice mud and snow.Driving full time will damage the transfer case.The other system is a full time system and the selector says 2wd,4wd part time ,4wd full time and 4 lo. if in full time,it can be driven all the time even on dry roads.The full time is really an all wheel drive system.
the 4low is a very low gear and the main shifter has to be put in neutral and then the transfer case put in 4 low.attempting to put it in 4 low while in "drive" will make a gear grinding noise.
getting out of 4 low is the opposite.shifter to neutral and then put it in 2wd and then in drive.The newer durango has an electronic transfer case with a dial on the dash.The 2002 was available with 2wd,4wd,awd and 4 lo on a switch.The 1999 has the lever on the floor .

It is , or you wouldn't need to press on the brake. Press harder.

The shift interlock can be malfunction.

Have someone check the brake light as you press on the brake.

If the brake light DOES NOT come on then you can start


checking for fuse

test the brake switch.connector

and brake switch.


When the safety circuit does not see the brake being apply then it shifter will remain lock.

u will need to check and make sure the brake lights work, the shifter is tied to the brake light switch, if the brake lights don't work or the brake pedal is not pushed a gear shifter lock out is engaged, this is a Federally mandated safety feature.