For some reason, I cannot seem to get the car to shift out of Park without holding the release button on the shifter console. Any ideas? I wonder if it could have something to do with the brake switch? I cannot recall anything that happened that could be related to this problem...Thoughts/comments appreciated..

 

check your fuses.

i want to say someone had this problem just a little while ago, but i can remember much about it. maybe someone else remembers or it will turn up in search.

 

Yeah you're right, the search feature is your friend. I did see several posts that indicate what you mentioned-brake light fuse...I'll check it tomorrow...Thanks...

 

As I recall this is a safety feature so that you don't get pulled over for having a light out.

 

Yeah, this problem just happened to a buddy of mine on his '98 4Runner. His truck would not shift out of park either. We happen to notice his brake lights were also out. We checked the brake light fuse and it was blown. Turns out his trailer he was towing shorted out his brake lights. He replaced the fuse and the truck now shift out of park.

Said he is going to fix the wiring first on the trailer before he tows it again.

We came to the conclusion Toyota designed the shifter not to shift out of park if you brake lights are out. Kind of an extreme type of saftey feature, but it does get your attention.

 

Yep, it sure was the brake light fuse, and I was towing a trailer when it went out...

 

Check the lamps to the trailer. If ones out or shorting out it will pop the fuse. I had a signal lamp out and it would pop my parking lights fuse.