The transmission is stuck in neutral and will not engage gears?

Hi,

Did this happen all at once? When you shift the gears, does the gear indicator show the correct gear?

Do me a favor. On the side of the transmission (driver's side) is the shift linkage which attaches to a manual lever on the transmission. Check to see if it is disconnected or if the bracket is damaged.

I attached a picture below showing what to look for. If it appears to be okay, with the vehicle safely secured and the parking brake applied, have a helper shift through the gears while you watch to see if the lever is moving.

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.

Hi,

It sounds like it is related to the transfer case. Try this. Start the engine and place the vehicle in neutral. Shift the transfer case back to low and then to a normal mode.

I know what happened. The transfer case isn't shifting and is between gears. That is why it feels like it is in neutral. It isn't engaged. It is in neutral and not the transmission. When you shift to park, the noise you hear is the parking paw trying to grab.

Let me know.

Joe

We may need to remove the transfer case shift motor. However, I have a question. Were you driving it at 50 mph in low lock? Also, when you try to shift it, is the sound coming from the transfer case or some other area?

If you were in low range at 50 mph on dry pavement, something internal in the transfer case may have been damaged.

Let me know.

Joe

That is my first suspect. Is it possible for you to record the noise and upload it for me to hear?

Joe

Hi,

Wow, I certainly heard that. I feel it would be a good idea to remove the shift motor on the transfer case. If nothing is broken such as a u-joint, axle joint or anything external, I suspect the problem is internal. It could be the drive chain that is damaged.

First, check the fluid to see if there is anything metallic mixed with the fluid. You may want to drain it, but that is up to you.

If the fluid is clean and full, remove the shift motor for inspection. Also, if you haven't already, just make sure nothing is damaged with any of the axle joints/driveshaft. The idea of the speedometer moving indicates the transmission is working. Also, make sure to check the fluid in the front differential. Something has come apart.

Let me know.

Joe

Can I ask if the driveshaft is spinning when in gear? If so, you have a broken axle in the rear differential.

Hi,

If you see the shift lever, clean around it to see if something has broken or become detached. Also, make sure the mount that the cable is attached to is also in good condition.

If the lever isn't moving, disconnect the cable and move the lever by hand to see if it goes into gear or park. Please be careful when under the vehicle. Also, rather than placing it in gear, with the engine off and the parking brake on, see if you can get it in park. If you can, then the cable is the issue.

The only thing is that doesn't explain the speedo moving. Regardless, check to see if it is damaged and attached.

Take care,

Joe

The fact that the speedometer works tells us the output shaft of the transmission is spinning. If the drive shafts are not turning, then something has broken inside the transfer case. I would remove it and disassemble to see what happened, here is how. Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.