Theory Of Operation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 RAM 1500. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The purpose of the diagnostic is to detect a breakage of the mechanical connection between the shift lever and the sensor module mounted to the lever. The shift lever is moved about a pivot point located in the middle of the lever and is held in the home position by two opposing springs. The sensor module consists of two redundant sensors and is mounted to the lower end of the shift lever by a connection pin. The driver controls the shift lever by pushing or pulling the upper end of the lever and the position is read by the sensor module. If the connection pin between the shift lever and the sensor module breaks then the sensor module is pulled to a failure position by a separate spring mounted to the sensor module.