The Car Care Clinic with the Dr John

01 Dodge Ram 3500 - Transmission slip after bump

Jim in Scarborough

Question

I have a ‘01 Dodge Ram 3500 24 overhead valve 4X4. A lorry backed into me and my transmission started slipping. The insurance company is saying I'm trying to capitalise on the situation. It was parked with the front wheels against the curb. What is your opinion; would this cause damage and make the transmission to slip and go out of gear when I had never had any problems before?

Answer

Jim, I find it hard to believe that having another vehicle back into yours would cause damage to the transmission. Particularly with the engine off and the transmission in park. If things were just right it may damage the parking pawl of the transmission, but the parking pawl is pure mechanical. You could snap it right off and it would have no affect on forward or reverse gears, it’s just when you put the transmission in park the truck would roll. May I suggest that you ask the insurance company to leave that end of the claim open. When you have the transmission problem fixed have the technician performing the repairs document his/her inspection and diagnosis of the transmission. If damage from the type of impact you describe is found, that could cause your complaint, with the documentation from the transmission technician, the insurance will likely write you a check.

Good Luck!
Dr. John