Gear shifter really hard to move/shift into gear (auto trans)

infamousRNR · Apr 24, 2015

Never had a problem with my shifter stick (automatic transmission) but all of a sudden out of no-where it's almost impossible to move it into D or any gear for that matter..

I took apart the dash.. Nothing is blocking it

Unbolted the linkage under the car... It then moves freely...

So I'm thinking it has something to do with the transmission and where the linkage goes into the trans...

Please any thoughts would be helpful..
Anyone ever experience this?...

I'm not in snow, it hasn't rained. Normal road conditions . Just got back from a long road trip though from SF to LA and back...

THatfield · Apr 25, 2015

is the interlock solenoid working correctly? should hear it click when you begin to apply the brakes to shift from Park. That could be your problem. You can override it manually by using the "shift lock override" (clever name lol) right above the P on the shifter. it might have a black removable cover on it. stick a flathead or a key in there and push down to engage it.

Grenvilleter · Apr 25, 2015

If I read you right, the shift mechanism works fine and the binding originates from the shift lever into the tranny ?
Yea... just reread it... Obviously tranny problems.

Sorry...I'll bet if you drain your tranny fluid, there would be a clue via shavings..
Maybe even see it on the stick.

infamousRNR · Apr 25, 2015

Thanks for the responses guys..

A little update... The interlock/brake switch seems to be working fine.. I can depress the button at the top of the shifter and can pull the lever/shifter... It would just be really hard...

I just recently replaced the tranny fluid... About 2-3 months ago...

I checked the tranny fluid today and it seemed pretty full.. Like maybe even too full...

What should the dip-stick show? How do you read tranny fluid on the stick? It was past the "hot" and the car had been sitting for hours.. So def not hot fluid..

I did unbolt the linkage and tried to adjust which did help tremendously...

But now I'm confused.. Why would it bind up?.. Maybe it wasn't tight and it shifted?...

Now I'm looking for a reason to this weird phenomenon to why the shifter was so hard to pull!!

rdesire1 · Jul 3, 2018

Were you able to figure this out?

I came across this thread doing a search, my 2001 4Runner just started doing the same thing. Were you able to figure out what was wrong or how to fix it?

octanejunkie · Jul 3, 2018

infamousRNR said:
Thanks for the responses guys..

A little update... The interlock/brake switch seems to be working fine.. I can depress the button at the top of the shifter and can pull the lever/shifter... It would just be really hard...

I just recently replaced the tranny fluid... About 2-3 months ago...

I checked the tranny fluid today and it seemed pretty full.. Like maybe even too full...

What should the dip-stick show? How do you read tranny fluid on the stick? It was past the "hot" and the car had been sitting for hours.. So def not hot fluid..

I did unbolt the linkage and tried to adjust which did help tremendously...

But now I'm confused.. Why would it bind up?.. Maybe it wasn't tight and it shifted?...

Now I'm looking for a reason to this weird phenomenon to why the shifter was so hard to pull!!

[MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION]

SEAN UPDATE YOUR DAMN THREAD lol

infamousRNR · Jul 3, 2018

rdesire1 said:
I came across this thread doing a search, my 2001 4Runner just started doing the same thing. Were you able to figure out what was wrong or how to fix it?

My shifting linkage started to shift normal again without issue since I posted in this original thread...

I really have no explanation other than the fact that i kept loosening the 10mm nut under the truck where the shifter connects to the shifting linkage.

I just kept adjusting that down there.

I wish I had a better explanation of why this started to happen out of the blue and also just disappeared without much being changed..

Could it be something in the trans? Or something with the shifting linkage thinking the key was turned in the ignition?

Maybe someone else can chime in if they have experience something similar.

AntleredRuin · Jul 3, 2018

I forget how the linkage works, as it's been a while since I've taken a look at it, but it sounds like maybe it wasn't tight enough in place at first, and that it binded somehow. If loosening and resetting it fixed the issue, especially now, 3 years later, that implies it wasn't anything serious mechanically.

I forget where exactly, but the mechanism that keeps you from shifting unless the key is in is higher up, near the actual shifter. Not in the linkage lower down. IIRC, it's some kind of tooth that simply keeps you from moving the shifter shaft, right under the plastic housing with the gear letters/numbers. It gets power from the plug nearby (don't forget this; ask me how I know), and detracts only when the brake is pressed.

BTW the tranny should shift easily by hand with the shifter detached (use the parking brake!!!)

I've always wanted (in an alternate reality with no consequences) to steal a car by detaching the shifter, popping the tranny into neutral, and winching it onto a trailer.

Gear shifter really hard to move/shift into gear (auto trans)

infamousRNR

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