Shifter Misalignment Issue & Flat Towing

[T A]

I'm partway through getting my 97 4.0 Automatic set up for flat towing behind the RV. Had some custom tow bar brackets made that permanently install over the factory bumper using the frame bolts for the tow hooks, bumper attachment etc. I'm getting ready to install the brake cable for my Ready Brute tow bar and it occurred to me that my shifter alignment issue may cause a serious problem with flat towing.

When I shift into park one of three things will happen:
1. Goes into Park with no issues.
2. Goes into Park (ie it engages and won't roll away) however it does not recognize it's in park and I have to shift into neutral to start it.
3. Park gear will not engage & it may take one or several tries to get #1 or #2.

It's been this way for at least 4 years (since the PO, my daughter bought it). She went to a couple different shops and the transmission has been checked out and both said it was in good condition except for the shifter alignment issue. Decided just to live with that since it worked fine just was a nuisance sometimes.

So my question is, it seems like I could have a potential catastrophic issue if I try to flat tow and the vehicle doesn't recognize it's in Park. What exactly needs to happen for the transmission to be lubricated during flat tow? Does it run off the ignition sensor knowing it's in P)ark or just being being in gear? Is there anything I can double check to confirm it will be ok?

 

[Mr. Bills]

I would fix the shifter alignment/ignition interlock issue.

In the meantime, you could park on a slight slope, put rig in Park with TC not in neutral before hooking up the tow bar. If the vehicle starts to roll you are not in Park. If it doesn't you are probably in Park. [No guarantees - the proper fix is to the shifter alignment.],

 

[Jerry Bransford]

While towing the transfer case must be in Neutral and the transmission should be in Park. It sounds like you can probably get it close enough into Park for it to be ok for towing. It is shifted into Park while towing to prevent it from being spun via its input shaft without sufficient lubrication.

For the shifter it could be nothing more than the shift cable has stretched or the bracket on the driver's side of the transmission is broken or loose and not holding the cable well enough for the transmission to be shifted reliably. Being out of adjustment or its mounting bracket adjacent to the transmission not holding the cable securely would be enough for the transmission to not be shifted into P or N for its neutral safety switch (mounted on the transmission) to prevent it from starting.

 

[T A]

Thanks for the input. I found the old thread I saw previously and I was thinking about it backwards. I thought it needed to be in Park so something would be lubricated. I get it now that it's to keep it from inadvertently spinning without lubrication during towing. I should be able to confirm that pretty easily as suggested above when I hook it up.

This has been on list list to fix.... Looks like I need to bump it up to the top.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

This should be of some help. No guarantees the shifting problem is caused by the shifter cable but it would be high on my list of likely suspects.

 

[T A]

Awesome thanks!

 

[T Crawford]

I flat tow mine, put transfer case in neutral, insert key if you have a steering wheel lock, make sure park brake is off, your ready to tow. I use a charge circuit from the rv and a demco/sim stay and play for braking.

 

[Stinkbug]

I flat tow mine, put transfer case in neutral, insert key if you have a steering wheel lock, make sure park brake is off, your ready to tow. I use a charge circuit from the rv and a demco/sim stay and play for braking.

I have that same stay n play system and recommend it to anyone that asks.