Hello I am new to this site but not to Chrysler vehicles or automotive forums. I have 3 Chrysler vehicles right now and have owned several over the years.

I have an 04 Chrysler Pacifica that is giving me troubles. I believe the transmission range sensor is acting up. It has been displaying "Vehicle not in Park" and "Memory System Disabled" on the cluster.

I did some research and found it was likely a ground issue. Before I cleaned the negative cables and added an extra heavy-gauge ground cable from the block it would not turn over. Now with the grounds cleaned up and an extra cable it will now START AND DRIVE BUT it still displays "Vehicle not in Park" even though it shouldn't even start when it thinks its in gear.

Weird, I know.

Anybody have a clue why this is?

It drives but I am afraid to drive it far until I get this figured out.

Thanks

 

What does the indicator on the dash say????? If it says park , or "P"...then move along.....TRS wont help you..

A ground issue COULD cause this, but you would likely have other issues

MEMORY SYSTEM DISABLED is your Answer.....Memory seats are disabled because the vehicle is not in park...(Or at least he thinks so).

I would be more inclined to look under the seat, and make sure the wiring to the Memory seat controller hasnt been twisted or yanked.

 

When the shifter is in park the gear indicator reads ALL gears (theres a box around all of the gears) but once you put it in D or R it acts normal.

 

Ok......Thats a different story. TRS is possible

2 things....

If you look into the drivers front wheel well (Its much easier if you take the tire off) On the corner of the transmission, is a Ground cable. Make sure it hasnt rotted thru, or come loose. This is a long shot, because usually the car wont start from this condition, but Anytime the "BOXES" are all lit up, it indicates TCM not processing a VALID gear position, either internally in the module, Faulty TRS, Or "Missing or Poor" connections in The "POWER AND GROUND" department.
TRS works Basically on a "DIGITAL LOGIC" format....1 is on, and 0 is OFF.
There are three or four combinations of ones and zeroes for each forward gear which your TCM translates into a Gear selector position..

A Chrysler DRB scan tool has a function for SHifter Logic test or Shift lever Test, Which will determine the Input from TRS as compared to Actual "Requested" position.
OBD scan tools do not have this function, So a trip to a dealership may be a quick solution. I dont know of any MANUAL method of checking this, because Ive Never had to do it manually, but A bit of Ingenuity and a wiring diagram may very well prove me the fool.

 

Thanks for the advice. I will do some more detective work and report back.

 

Hey Djinn,

I, for one really appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge and experience here. Your patient explanations are invaluable.

Thanks

 

Youre quite welcome......Its comments like that that keep me here.