Can't Get Van to Shift into Drive!

[CREGAN]

Hey Craig, if you simply can't get the shifter out of park, it is quite possible that the release mechanism for the brake pedal safety switch is sticking. The brake pedal is pulling the cable properly, but the little mechanism in the steering column isn't releasing due to stiff grease. This has been a problem with quite a few l400's in colder climates. There was a good pictorial write up on fixing it by green1 but he may have deleted it when he left the forum in a huff. Sorry I don't have time to search for it right now. I can tell you the culprit mechanism is on the left side of the steering column, you can follow the cable from the brake pedal to it. Washing it down with WD-40 frees it up and your good again. Biggest problem is taking the plastic covers off the steering column in the cold. For one of mine, I simply put a 1500watt space heater in the van while letting it warm up. Did this for a week until I could get the van in the shop. Let me know if you can't find green1's posts, as I have one l400 in the shop, and I can probably take it apart to take a picture for you.

Jason

I just found the thread you mentioned, thanks. All of Green1's posts have been removed. Really too bad because I would have liked to see it, just to check. Djelica has a write up. Pictures would definately help me though. I am still going to swap out the ATF though. In the post it says to use a good low temp lube spray, is wd-40 alright or is there something else I should use? It is -33 here today so nothing will be done until Friday. I have a feling that the only thing I would achieve today is frostbite and a lot of broken plastic!

Craig

[jessef]

For winter use Redline D6 ATF and summer ATF D4.

You'll be pleasantly surprised at how much smoother your auto will shift after using this fluid. It's amazing stuff.

So you flush your transmission every spring and fall I thought a tranny flush was once every 2 years?

didn't come out right. I used D4 and when winter came along and the transmission was stiff, I flushed it with D6 and kept it in. If you're in the lower mainland, D4 is plenty. In the interior or place that hit below 20 throughout the winter, D6 is the fluid to use.

Redline D6 is what the SARS/ambulance rigs use in northern BC and if you ask around, the Toyo/Cummins crowd in AB/SK as well.

Just like going from a low quality 15w40 to a synthetic 5w40 in the winter does to your engine, going from Dex to Redline is similar for your transmission and transfer case.

[Pajero]

You can sure feel the drag when its -30, when you let off the accelerator it slows down like you have applied the brake but I think its just that all the driveline fluids are so thick. Its fine after I drive for a while, but next year I think I might look at the synthetic tranny fluid too.

Joe

[MardyDelica]

Hi, criag,
ypou can used th eheat gun for now to let it warn out little. then spray penetrating fluid when its warn up to loosen the
connection cause by ice or snow
you should fired this one up
cheers;

[CREGAN]

Alright - here is an update:

On Thursday it warmed up enough for me to go out and peel the steering column apart and observe( a balmy -15). It looked like the little white plastic piece (for lack of a better name) was not releasing the shift lever to engage the transmission. So, I WD-40'd the crap out of all the parts in there and worked it through the gears several times and it seemed to be working fine. Today I got in after warming it up for about 45 minutes and it would not engage. It was -30 last night. Peeled it apart and it was not releasing again. Since I was running out of time to get it into a shop in the city I left the case off and moved the plastic bit with my finger to engage it into drive and drove it about 25 minutes into the city. By then it was warm inside the van so it shifted into drive very easily when I got there. We drained almost 5 litres out of ATF and replaced it with the Redline D6. I still have 3 litres left so I might use that + a few more litres and get it properly flushed when I get it tuned up in Van in the summer, but for now it is good enough. Got home and before reassembling the column I silicone sprayed the crap out of everything again. Left it for a few hours in the minus 20 it is now and then used it this evening and it was working fine.

I am just worried that if it gets really cold again it won't work. The white plastic thingy seems to be a major part of the problem though. When it is not working properly it is out just a litttle bit, just enough to not allow the shifter to engage. Annoying.

Craig

[Rising Sun Auto Import]

On Thursday it warmed up enough for me to go out and peel the steering column apart and observe( a balmy -15). It looked like the little white plastic piece (for lack of a better name) was not releasing the shift lever to engage the transmission. So, I WD-40'd the crap out of all the parts in there and worked it through the gears several times and it seemed to be working fine. Today I got in after warming it up for about 45 minutes and it would not engage. It was -30 last night. Peeled it apart and it was not releasing again. Since I was running out of time to get it into a shop in the city I left the case off and moved the plastic bit with my finger to engage it into drive and drove it about 25 minutes into the city. By then it was warm inside the van so it shifted into drive very easily when I got there.
I am just worried that if it gets really cold again it won't work. The white plastic thingy seems to be a major part of the problem though. When it is not working properly it is out just a litttle bit, just enough to not allow the shifter to engage. Annoying.

Craig

I would say it is mainly due to partial worn out mechanism, but just happened in cold weather.

Steven

[djelica]

Should have replied with this a while ago, but thought your problem was solved. Hope this helps (you need to skip down to the second last post).

dj

http://www.delica.ca/forum/can-t-get-ou ... -6983.html

[CREGAN]

Should have replied with this a while ago, but thought your problem was solved. Hope this helps (you need to skip down to the second last post).

dj

http://www.delica.ca/forum/can-t-get-ou ... -6983.html

Yeah this is the post I found a while ago and followed. Still hoping for a chinook or a very short winter though! Only seems to do this when it is really cold. Otherwise it shifts into the drive gears smooth like butter.

Craig

[CREGAN]

Update time:

While the temperatures have become much more tollerable here it has been working fine. Lubing up the mechanisms in the steering column helped (still waiting for a really cold blast to see if it is gone). I used WD 40 first with no change and then I used 3in1 Silicone Lube. Switching to the Redline D6 has been a noticable difference. It does tend to shift smooth like butter now into it's gears. It is driving quite nicely now. I think I would recommend the switch. Even though it is expensive ($11 a litre- about 8 litres needed for complete switch, 5 for drain and pour), it does make a difference and since I won't have to do it for a while now I think it was a good investment. Only thing I would change is that i would do a complete flush with it instead of the drain and pour. Still might do that....when it is nice and warm in the summer!

Craig

[doodah]

The last few days my Keats Island Delica has been acting strangely also. The weather has been cool but not really cold.

I get into the van, turn the key and nothing... no dash lights,no engine turn-over... nada.

Try to shift the gears, no movement.

After about 3-5 minutes of frustration, the key turning works, lights come on and gear lever shifts.

[CREGAN]

doodah, this problem sounds a little different from what you described. Sounds electrical - ignition related to me. I am sure someone will chime in about this problem also. Lots of advice to be had here.

Craig