How to: Fix PRNDL Gear Indicator Marker Auto Column

[lks dcvn]

So after a quick search on the forum - I found plenty of posts of what to do, but very few pix of what needs to be done. Putting this out there for the next person who is looking to do this. Be sure to chock your wheels before doing this work to prevent injury or damage to your truck.

As many have said - before you make any adjustments under the hood - check the travel (toward you/away from you) of the gear selector arm as these can bind in the column when the old lubricant dries/hardens. You should be able to pull it toward you and it should spring back. To remediate a sticking column - find your favorite spray lubricant and pull back on the gear selector and generously spray into the hole in front of and behind the gear selector arm. Your goal here to loosen up any debris preventing gear arm travel. Be sure to have paper towels/rags handy to catch any spray lubricant before it hits your carpet.

If this doesn't fix your issue - further work is needed.

Below is a picture of the issue(s) -

Inside the truck - Park needle is way off - to the left of the word 'park' on the indicator.
Under the hood - this is where adjustments occur (red box)

*Note in the 2nd picture that the arm is able to travel past the detent for the park setting (yellow box) - it should be on top of that metal arm behind it - not in front of it.

[lks dcvn]

First put the truck in park - using the column.

Once in Park - go under the hood and loosen the nut on the alignment arm - red box below. Remove all items and note the order them came off.

The arm that connects to the trans will now be loose.

Go into the truck and using the gear indicator - line up the arm with the center of the 'Park' - confirm it is resting on the detent arm under the hood.

[lks dcvn]

With the gear indicator lined up on the column - return under the hood and bolt the alignment parts to the trans arm being careful not the move the arm location (still on Park inside the truck).

Tighten up the bolt on the arm - red box - and then go into the truck and confirm that you can move the arm into each gear without binding/issue.

Confirm that your NSS switch allows the truck to start when the indicator is in Park and Neutral and that your reverse lights illuminate when in Reverse.

Some have noted that the factory used the Neutral setting as the point to align the arm to as it is the center sweep of the gear options for alignment.

I was able to do this process in my driveway in about 10-15 mins. Now I can actually tell what gear I am in.

Enjoy!

[Stocker]

Great info, instructions, & pics -- thanks for posting!

[35boulder]

Agree w Stocker. Thanks for posting.

[custom10nut]

Subbed for the information.