Dodge Durango

 Service Manual

Instrument Panel Systems » Description and operation
Gear selector indicator

DESCRIPTION

An automatic transmission gear selector indicator is standard factory-installed equipment in this model, when it is also equipped with an optional automatic transmission. Two types of gear selector indicators are used, mechanical or electronic. Either gear selector indicator gives an indication of the transmission gear that has been selected with the automatic transmission gear selector lever. If the vehicle is equipped with the optional 45RFE automatic transmission, the instrument cluster contains an integral electronic gear selector indicator. All other automatic transmission types use the mechanical gear selector indicator.

Diagnosis of the electronic gear selector indicator should be performed using a DRBIIIt scan tool and the proper Diagnostic Procedures manual. The electronic gear selector indicator cannot be adjusted or repaired. If faulty or damaged, the instrument cluster unit must be replaced.

The mechanical gear selector indicator housing is mounted to the rear of the instrument cluster housing.

The mechanical gear selector indicator pointer is easily visible through an opening provided in the front of the instrument cluster mask, and is also lighted by the cluster illumination lamps for visibility at night. This group covers only the removal and installation of the mechanical gear selector indicator from the instrument cluster. Refer to Steering Column in the Removal and Installation section of Group 19 - Steering for the mechanical gear selector indicator cable adjustment procedures.

OPERATION

The electronic gear selector indicator uses a digital Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) to indicate the gear selector position. The electronic gear selector indicator is controlled by messages received by the instrument cluster circuitry from the electronic Transmission Control Module (TCM) over the CCD data bus network.

The mechanical gear selector indicator has a spring-loaded pointer that is mechanically actuated by a cable connected to the gear selector indicator driver lever of the gear selector lever mechanism on the steering column. When the gear selector lever is moved the indicator driver lever moves, which actuates the spring-loaded pointer through the mechanical actuator cable. An adjuster mounted on the steering column housing provides a mechanical means of calibrating the gear selector indicator mechanism.

Instrument panel system

Instrument panel

Instrument cluster

Central timer module

Instrument panel cigar lighter

Gear selector indicator

Instrument panel power outlet