gear selector switch

oxfordethan · 11-14-2007, 05:38 AM

A friend of mine has a '98 2wd limited 4runner. The button on the gear selector will not press in and allow the transmission to be changed from park. Does anyone know what the cause of this might be and how to fix it?

This ad is not displayed to registered members.
Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

mikes19984x4 · 11-14-2007, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oxfordethan

A friend of mine has a '98 2wd limited 4runner. The button on the gear selector will not press in and allow the transmission to be changed from park. Does anyone know what the cause of this might be and how to fix it?

supposedly you can take off some of the plastic and all around the shifter and there's something that you can stick your key in and it will "unlock" the shifter...not 100% sure about this, but it happened to my buddy's 2000 limited 2wd 4runner while he was launching a boat, and he said he did something like this...

eric-the-red · 11-14-2007, 07:17 AM

The shift lock has an electric solenoid that is controlled by the brake light circuit. First check the brake lights, if they're not working then either the STOP fuse has gone or the switch on the pedal is bad. If the lights are working then the solenoid may have gone bad. You should be able to shift by lifting the samll black plastic plug at the front of the shifter, and pushing something in there to release the shifter. Like Mike said a key usually works.

Rock Slide · 11-14-2007, 07:49 AM

^ x2.

If one of your brake light bulbs is out or the fuse to them is blown, the vehicle will not shift out of park when the button on the gear selector is depressed. This is a safety feature installed by toyota.

Until either the fuse is replaced or the bulb is replaced (which ever one is the problem), you'll have to get a screwdriver, pry open the clip next to the gear selector and manually unlock the transmission. (I've had to do this before on a friend's 4Runner before.)

Once the brake light issue is fixed, you will be able to shift the gear selector out of park like normal.

A friend of mine had this happen on his '98. Come to find out, it was faulty wiring on the trailer that caused his brake lights to short out, thus blowing the fuse. This in turn would not let him shift out of park.

Talk about a strict safety feature...

GOH10 Runner · 11-14-2007, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric-the-red

The shift lock has an electric solenoid that is controlled by the brake light circuit. First check the brake lights, if they're not working then either the STOP fuse has gone or the switch on the pedal is bad. If the lights are working then the solenoid may have gone bad. You should be able to shift by lifting the samll black plastic plug at the front of the shifter, and pushing something in there to release the shifter. Like Mike said a key usually works.

x3

Im betting its the switch on the brake pedal. If it is its a pretty easy job to do.

98runner210 · 11-14-2007, 01:25 PM

+1 on checking the fuses. I hooked a trailer up and apparently the trailer wiring had a short killing my fuse for my brake lights. I didn't know and couldn't figure out why I couldn't get out of park. I just swapped the fuse for the stereo untill i could get a new fuse.

oxfordethan · 11-15-2007, 04:29 AM

thanks for all of the suggestions and info.

11-14-2007, 07:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
Rock Slide Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: May 2006 Location: B'ham, AL Posts: 2,241	^ x2. If one of your brake light bulbs is out or the fuse to them is blown, the vehicle will not shift out of park when the button on the gear selector is depressed. This is a safety feature installed by toyota. Until either the fuse is replaced or the bulb is replaced (which ever one is the problem), you'll have to get a screwdriver, pry open the clip next to the gear selector and manually unlock the transmission. (I've had to do this before on a friend's 4Runner before.) Once the brake light issue is fixed, you will be able to shift the gear selector out of park like normal. A friend of mine had this happen on his '98. Come to find out, it was faulty wiring on the trailer that caused his brake lights to short out, thus blowing the fuse. This in turn would not let him shift out of park. Talk about a strict safety feature... __________________ 2002 4Runner Sport 4WD My 4Runner Profile Accessories: SS 7.1 Lift Kit, WabFab 1" BL, Modified & Color-matched TJM T-15, Stubb Sliders, FX/TSX HID Projector Retrofit, Tundra Brakes, Hilux Surf Field Monitor, TRD Ivan Stewart Wheels, Yoko Geolanders 265/75s, WeatherTechs, Pioneer HU, LED Tail Lights, JBL Speakers Mods: Disabled DRLs, Disabled Keyless Entry Chirp, AndyMod 2.0, Fog Light Mod, Air Elbow Mod, Rear Diff Breather Mod

11-14-2007, 01:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
98runner210 Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 797	+1 on checking the fuses. I hooked a trailer up and apparently the trailer wiring had a short killing my fuse for my brake lights. I didn't know and couldn't figure out why I couldn't get out of park. I just swapped the fuse for the stereo untill i could get a new fuse. __________________ '98 4Runner Limited White w/ silver flares

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Manual tranny 4wd selector question	wheels_CA	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	14	04-25-2007 07:48 AM
Diff/transfer case/tranny gear lube capacities? (Amsoil synthetic switch)	CoedNaked	86-95 Trucks & 4Runners	1	07-14-2006 06:41 AM
Vent selector switch not working	Tanto	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	15	06-26-2006 07:48 AM
Dead Starter/broken Xfer Selector	FormulaTwo	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	0	07-05-2004 07:52 PM

11-14-2007, 07:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
eric-the-red Contributing Member Personal Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Port Coquitlam, BC Posts: 2,590	The shift lock has an electric solenoid that is controlled by the brake light circuit. First check the brake lights, if they're not working then either the STOP fuse has gone or the switch on the pedal is bad. If the lights are working then the solenoid may have gone bad. You should be able to shift by lifting the samll black plastic plug at the front of the shifter, and pushing something in there to release the shifter. Like Mike said a key usually works.

11-15-2007, 04:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
oxfordethan Registered User Personal Sales Rating: (0) [OP] Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 26	thanks for all of the suggestions and info.

11-15-2007, 04:29 AM
Yotatech 4WD Truck Paid Advertisement