PMDG 737-800/900 pushback support in FS2004 (FS9) from cold and dark?

PMDG 737-800/900 (FS9) Pushback from Cold & Dark

Yes — you can absolutely push back the PMDG 737-800/900 in FS2004. In FS9 the pushback itself is handled by the simulator (not something “FSX-only”), so as long as the sim is receiving the pushback command it should work regardless of whether you’re cold-and-dark or fully powered up.

Here’s how I’d troubleshoot it, step-by-step:

1) Confirm the FS9 pushback command is assigned
In FS2004 go into the Controls/Assignments and make sure you have a key/button mapped to:
Pushback (tow aircraft)

Default is usually something like SHIFT+P to start pushback, and (in many installs) extra key presses to control direction, but the big thing is: make sure the base pushback command is actually assigned and not removed/overwritten.

2) Test pushback with a default aircraft
Load something stock (like the default 737 or Cessna) at the same gate/spot and hit your pushback key.

• If it works with the default aircraft: the command is fine, and something is interfering specifically when you’re in the PMDG.
• If it does not work even with the default aircraft: it’s a controls/assignment issue (or another add-on is stealing the keystroke).

3) Make sure you’re not parked “stuck”
FS9 pushback won’t start if the airplane can’t roll for basic reasons:

• Parking brake released
• Not “slewed” (slew mode off)
• Not crashed/damaged (if crash detection is on and you’re clipped into scenery)

4) Watch for key conflicts
If you’re running any external utilities (FSUIPC button/key mappings, joystick software, etc.), it’s common for SHIFT+P (or whatever you’re using) to be intercepted or remapped. A quick test is to temporarily assign pushback to a totally different single key you never use and try again.

5) Try starting from a different parking spot
Some gates/stands in certain sceneries don’t play nicely with the stock pushback tug (odd ground polygons, invisible “walls,” etc.). If you try the same procedure at a default airport stand and it suddenly works, then it’s likely scenery-related rather than PMDG-related.

A couple quick questions so I can narrow it down

• When you press your pushback key in the PMDG, do you get any on-screen text at all (the usual FS9 “PUSHBACK” message), or nothing?
• Does pushback work in FS9 with default aircraft at the same airport/gate?
• Are you using FSUIPC for key/button assignments (even just registered features), or any pushback/ground-handling add-on?
• Which exact key/button are you using for pushback right now?

Answer those and I can point you to the most likely culprit pretty quickly.