dh515

I've searched and read all I could find on this but am at a loss for what to check next. I've got a 98 4runner with auto transmission. Whenever I take it to the mountains and the temperature drops below about 55 degrees, I can't get it to shift out of park without using the release button next to the shifter. Even then, I have to fiddle with it quite a bit before it will allow me to shift. Whenever I'm in the desert where it is warmer, no problems whatsoever. I've replaced the brake switch that contacts the pedal arm, checked all fuses, and checked all lights. Cruise control works. Any ideas? Thanks!

mt_goat

Weird My guess is a problem in the shift lock mechanism under the center console cover (right under the shifter). Maybe its dirty and needs lubrication or something like that.

mt_goat

Your's will look a little different than this one because its customized for my 93 truck, but I believe you'll find your problem in the mechanism in this pic:

dh515

Thanks for the quick reply and pics. I took it apart and didn't see anything obviously wrong, but cleaned the solenoid with contact cleaner and lubed the piston that goes inside. Seems like it works a little bit better. Won't know if it fixed it until I go back to the mountains in a couple of days. In any case, I got the part number off the solenoid and ordered a new one as it wasn't that much. I'll report back if that fixed it once I know. Thanks again!

mt_goat

Keep us updated.

dh515

Well, I'm back up in the cold weather again. After cleaning the shifter solenoid, it will now shift out of park in the cold. It will also shift out of park without stepping on the brake pedal. It doesn't work right, but it's better this way being able to shift anytime than not at all. I'm waiting on the new solenoid, but I'm pretty sure at this point that it was the problem.

mt_goat

Did you get that little lock button back in place right?

Team420

That happened on my 93 a few years a go...I dont remember what the exact problem was, but it had something to do with that shiftlock button... I just ripped it out, and called it good, and have no problems shifting now. the only downfall is that u can take it out of park now without hitting the brakes or having the key in the ignition...... no biggie for me.....

dh515

Do you mean on top of the shifter?

mt_goat

No, this one:

twinkielk15

I had this problem on my old Ford Ranger and it was the actual button on top of the shifter. I pulled it off and replaced it with a custom one that I fabricated and it's worked great ever since. Just another thought.

dh515

Ok, finally got this fixed, cold weather and all. I received the shift lock solenoid (part number 85431-35090, cost $41.13 including shipping from Titus Will Toyota in Tacoma Washington) and installed it. Previously, I had taken the mechanism apart and lubed the piston that goes inside of it. After doing that, I could shift it out of park but it still wasn't right as I could shift it without depressing the brake pedal and without the key being in the vehicle. After installing the new part, I was back to stuck in park again! In looking at the shift mechanism, I could see that when I depressed the button on top of the shifter, a pin on the end of that rod was not going down enough to clear a notch on the shift bracket. I removed the shift handle and saw that the button in the top of the shift is threaded on to allow for adjustment. I screwed it out a couple of turns to make it longer and put it back together. Now everything works correctly. Now I'm wondering if it was just the switch in the shifter that needed adjustment, although I still believe the solenoid mentioned above was part of my problem, as I was having difficulty getting it out of park even using the manual release button (the one in Mt. Goat's last pic) on the shifter console. After replacing it, everything works now. Thanks to everybody for the help. This is a great website!