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automatic transmission gear indicator box
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drp
User
Mar 9, 2019, 1:40 PM
Post #1 of 5
(1051 views)
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automatic transmission gear indicator box
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Hi all,
I have a 2002 Mazda Tribute, 6 cylinder engine, automatic transmission. 199,000 miles. I recently noticed that the 'box' that indicates what gear you are in when shifting my automatic transmission, is 'on' around the 'N' and '2' ( see photo ) all the time.
It started with just being 'on' around the 'N' and now I've noticed it's also 'on' around the '2'. It hasn't affected drivability, or the ability to shift the automatic transmission. The 'box' still comes 'on' over the 'R' and the 'D' and the '1' when I'm shifting.
I'm wondering what causes those two 'indicator boxes' to remain 'on'?
Thanks.
Dennis
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 9, 2019, 3:07 PM
Post #2 of 5
(1043 views)
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Re: automatic transmission gear indicator box
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Hmmm? Good one. Basically for now I don't really know just some questions really my curiosity.
This looks soooo 1960's with a stuck on plastic indicator on a metal column had a light bulb under it and orange or red pointer moved behind this. Chrome or plastic chrome highlights to the edge at least a mid priced car.
Is this a pic you took and cropped for just this or find this out on the web somewhere? It appears black and white only in this highlight box is darker not lighter?
Next is this shifter on the column by any wild chance? If a floor shift this would be remote from that and this all LED or LCD much like a cheap calculator.
Sorry to bug you could have some ideas on what to do or check so last if it's inside and behind a plastic cover along with other gauges and things this could be near impossible to fix as a strong guess.
Just asking the picture is striking to me how you did that,
T
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drp
User
Mar 10, 2019, 2:39 PM
Post #3 of 5
(1002 views)
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Re: automatic transmission gear indicator box
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Hi Tom Greenleaf,
The image that I added to my original post was one that I grabbed from google images for reference. Here is a link to a 45 second video that I made that demonstrates the issue.
Click on the image below to view video:
Let me know what you think.
Thanks.
Dennis
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 10, 2019, 4:02 PM
Post #4 of 5
(990 views)
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Re: automatic transmission gear indicator box
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Oh my!! Would drive me nuts and probably put tape over it so not confused by it. IDK but looks LCD (liquid crystal diode) when they mess up they are trash as far as I know no repair BUT only if right at that display.
It has to get position info from the shifter somewhere right at it moving sent along so a chance is all corroded unseen and unfixable. Finding out which end or rubbing wiring at a plug in to either whole dash unit or one plug (probably) at the sender.
Mostly lost what to do. If this was lots newer and far fewer miles still worth a fortune hope find a place to send dash unit out to, to even find out if it can be fixed?
I simply don't know. Just getting that answer could cost never mind the lasting fix IMO.
Side note: It's just silly to expect more and more sealed electronic gauges if just this indicator to put up with > too hot, too cold, too damp, vibrations, just age exposed to air and a much longer list.
That's as silly as a Dollar Tree calculator you'd never fix but IMPORTANT. YOU know what gear your are in, said it runs just fine. The serious problem is would a stranger figure out how to drive it properly? NO.
For now Do make sure your parking brake works very well and use it. Many folks never do in automatics including me except to know it works perfectly. Use it if you didn't before every time car is OFF and away from it just because you should anyway. It will not stay put being in gear like a standard shift could if mild slope and engine off this would roll away on a hill so beware of that.
You could ask for a few minutes at a dealer for tech's suggestions for just this but think you will find that silly thing would cost a freaking fortune in time to fix plus know it was found what was wrong?
Even you can do wiring wiggle tests see if that snaps it out of that.
Best I can do see if another comes along with better ideas on how to test or fix that. IF SOMEONE ELSE JUST HAS TO MOVE THIS CAR PUT A PAPER CARD TAPED TO DASH SAYING IT DOESN'T WORK if needed it's really not safe to think it's correct when it might not be,
Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 10, 2019, 5:26 PM
Post #5 of 5
(984 views)
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Re: automatic transmission gear indicator box
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My guess on that is you have a short in the dash cluster circuit for the LCD illuminating those 2 all the time. Other than that it works correctly.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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