89 pickup 2WD 4cyl Auto Tran - column shift

Truck was parked for 3 months on level ground, started up fine after charging the battery but can't get it out of Park. Tried it with engine running and not, with brake pressed [brake light works] and not, tried while rocking it. Any suggestions appreciated including any way to disable park lockout so I can move it to a better place to work on it.

 

did not even though a column shift was available from Toyota.
if you had a floor shift I could tell your where the release for the lock out is.

 

There are column shift automatic Toyota Trucks of this vintage, but on 2 Wheel Drive models only.

Some 1984-1988 2 Wheel Drive Trucks with an automatic transmission had floor shifters and others had column shifters.

I think all 1989-1995 2 Wheel Drive Trucks with an automatic transmission were all column shifts.

My 1987 2 Wheel Drive has a column shift, but does not have any sort of lock out. I can move the shift lever any time I want.



I am not sure if the newer column shift Trucks (1989-1995) had a lock out or not. Do you happen to have the owner's manual? It should mention it if your truck does have a lock out feature.

 

I am having the same issue. engine will start but cannot shift out of park. Also located in Portland. Did you ever resolve it or have a shop recommendation to fix this?

 

I’d check the linkage under the hood going to the transmission. Should be on driver side metal plate with indents for each gear. If stuck in park the pullspring action may not be releasing the bracket. Upload some photos of the bracket as it currently sits. Might help get to the bottom of it sooner

 

I remember getting a few column shift trucks that had done that. Pain, because, unlike floor shift automatics, there was no emergency release.
I’m struggling to remember what the fix was. Nothing with the trans. And I don’t recall a neutral safety switch being a cause. Maybe the brake light switch? I don’t think the replacement part was that big of a deal. I do remember we could have someone start the vehicle and put their foot on the brake while someone reach underneath and shifted it into drive at the trans so we could drive it into the tech’s bay.

lmk what you find. I’ll be going by the dealer in a few days and I can ask some of my old master techs what the failed part was.