2000 T4R, Limited V6 3.4L
207k miles

Good afternoon!

This is my first ever post, but I've been a forum reader for awhile. I'm a not a mechanic, nor do I play one on TV. And trying to figure out mechanic lingo is a task. However, if I set my mind to it, I can pretty much fix what I can.

Problem:
I just moved from Ks to Tx. I guess in Tx they require a safety & an emissions inspection. My check engine light has been on for awhile, therefore I'm screwed and it will not past inspection. I went to Autozone to have them analyze the CEL. It read a P1780 and a P0420. I was hesitant to go to a auto shop but I did it out of desperation. I went to a local auto repair shop (Brake Specialist - a friend of a friend worked there, so I somewhat trusted the guy) After a thorough analysis, he said I have a bad Park/Neutral Safety Switch and a bad Cat. It will cost me around $900 to fix. I don't have $900!! So, I researched the P/N SS issue. I found a post from another forum (see below) that has similar issues as mine.

2000 4runner SES: P1780 - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Here are my issues:
- the R, in the PRNDL2 display on the combination meter lights up dimly, turn the headlamps on and its little brighter (see pic below). The R is lit up dimly in each case listed below.
- I've only notice this happening when the engine is cold. If my headlights are OFF, put the truck in Drive, it shifts normally. If my headlights are ON, it will not shift to 2nd, until I turn off the headlights. After a several minutes of driving, I can turn the lights on. I determined this, out of dumb luck and trial-n-error.
- During highway speeds (60-75mph), with my headlights on, I turned on my high beams. All of a sudden, the transmission downshifts. I don't think it went to neutral, it might've but I don't think it did. It scared the hell out of me when it happened! I quickly turn off the high beams and my headlights, then the transmission shifted back to its proper gear. I turned back on my headlights. Everything was fine. It was my high beams that triggered that same behavior because I tried it again on a different time.

The link that I attached above indicate it might be a short in the gauge cluster not the P/N switch. I have questions that I hope get answered.
- How do I troubleshoot the P/N switch?
- If it is the gauge/instrument cluster, is it difficult to remove?
- Do I need to remove the steering wheel before removing the cluster?

FYI, the ECT is never on.

I don't know if this has anything to do with the issue above but my passenger parking light is out (most likely a bulb replacement is in order) and the driver side parking light comes on intermittently. The link below also identifies a similar problem to mine. In that post, the guy replaced the P/N switch and the cluster, but the problem never went away. However, he found a short in the headlight.

Does anyone repair Toyota instrument clusters? - TTORA Forum

If anyone has any suggestions, advice, guidance, smart remarks (my fav), or direction, I would greatly, greatly appreciate it!! If you think I left something out, or need more info about my situation, I'll be happy to disclose it. I hope to tackle this problem this weekend. I hope this can be resolved on the cheap. I did buy a Haynes book to help me out. I just need to fix the problem so the CEL does not come on again because I need to pass a State Inspection to register my truck. Oh, in regards to P0420, I'm pretty sure the Cat needs replaced. Any suggestions for a Cat? After market or OEM? Whatever Cat I get, it'll have to be installed by a professional (welder), unless there's one available I can just bolt on. I haven't done much research on Cats. Thank you for reading my long-winded issue. I appreciate any help I can get.

Al

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I haven't seen any threads about the P/N switch on here before.

How much is the part? Did you call Camelback Toyota parts about it?
Hint: be sure to ask for their online price vs standard phone/walk-in.

The auto shop quoted me $300+ for the P/N switch and I think $150 for labor. I have not had the chance to contact Camelback but I will. Thanks BrianSD.

I am having the same problem with my 1999 Limited. Did you get a fix?

You can remove the PN switch. I did it once and it is easy. Remove the battery ground wire, wait about 20 minutes and then remove the wire plug. then put a mark on the body of PN switch and transmission. Remove the 17 mm bolt and it will slide out easily.

You can unscrew the Philips bolts and open the casing. There are metal pins about 3 mm wide and 7 mm long attached to an arm. Just clean those and reapply non-couductive grease and put all together with the mark you made on the PN switch and the trans. Tight the bolt GENTLY as the threads are aluminum. That is all!

The truck should start ONLY on P and N positions. If it starts on other positions, you have to loosen that 17 mm bolt a bit and move the PN switch 1 mm forward or bacwards and retight the 17 mm bolt. Check again.

See here for pictures: 99' not starting. Neutral Safety Switch?

I have this same problem. Found this thread about it. Seems like there are a few cases of it and it's not the neutral safety switch. I'll be pulling my cluster this weekend to check it out and hopefully attempt a fix. I'll post here if i get it done. http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/26...0048?_k=eyqk1r

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Here's your answer! Transmission Issue????