If you send me an IM with an email, I will cut and paste stuff from alldatadiy to send to you to troubleshoot. I really don't think this will be difficult to trouble shoot and I think it will probably be the sensor on your shift lever IMO.

Just my .02

Check the diagram here, if it's the neutral switch, it's front left side of the transmission.
2010 Toyota 4Runner. #8454060050: SWITCH ASSEMBLY, NEUTRAL START

I was reading about that switch and what's interesting is that all symptoms are supposed to be transmission related, i.e. vehicle doesn't start, or starts only in neutral, or works funny. I didn't noticed any of those...

Just a little update for those who curious. After I reset the code, truck behaves like noting has happened. Since last Friday. Today on the way from work I noticed that there's no "D" on the dashboard shifter position display. Tried to switch to manual, "4" flashed on display and disappeared, manual shift didn't work. Later on went to a grocery store, everything worked just fine. By the way I didn't find that sensor on transmission, I guess it's deep under vehicle, I'll try again to look at it when it gets warmer this weekend.
And I can't bring my truck to a mechanic because there's no definite symptoms anymore, so I won't even know for sure if it's fixed or not... I doubt that it's fix itself, so I guess i'll be waiting when something is definitely broken, or "check engine" comes up again.

Ya know, it sure does sound like the selector switch on the side of the trans. Why do I think this? Not completely related here, but my '98 Isuzu Rodeo had the exact same problems, intermittent display on the dash for gear selection, error code (don't recall what it was any more, this was 6+ years ago) set a day or three from resetting it.

It gradually got worse, and started shifting really bad, to the point that it was dangerous to drive. Found a write-up of the issue and it was the selector switch on the side of the trans.

Luckily, I could remove it, open it up, clean it out inside and put new dielectric grease in it.

So, reason for this long post, if you determine that it is this switch, see if its serviceable by disassembling it, cleaning up the grease inside, and putting it back together! Of course, if the unit is glued together, chances are you won't be able to fix it and you're looking at 200 bucks for a new one.

You can also try this...

Run through the gears with the engine off a bunch of times. Park to Drive and back. All that's in this little box are metal wipers against a pad, similar to a volume control knob. They get dirty or the grease gets hard and crusty, and the wipers don't touch the pad all the way any more. Moving the shifter back and forth a ton of times may move the grease around enough to make better contact again, or get the dirt to be pushed away from the pad.

At least this is a free fix to try, won't cost you much more than a few minutes of moving the shifter back and forth!

Some pics from the web of what I'm talking about:

Before cleaning:


After cleaning:


Again, this was on a different vehicle, and those aren't my photos, but mine looked worse than that and worked perfectly after I cleaned it up. Also found that some Cadillacs have the same issue and this fixes them also.

Thanks, good idea. Now I just have to find where it is in 4Runner. I think if transmission would sit on a deck I would easily find the switch, but when I look under the vehicle it doesn't seen to be as obvious as on pictures : )

I'll bet @BlackWorksInc at least knows where it is ....

Sorry, TIS was acting up last night. So there's a possibility the issue could be either with the park neutral switch on the driver's side of the transmission. Or the floor shifter assembly, I'll need to look at some more information when I get the chance.

Resurrecting this thread for FYI/archive purposes....just in case more folks have this problem.

I had exactly the same issue on my 2014 trail. Check engine, stability control and terrain select indicator illuminated. Shifter position indicator blank, and S mode would not work. Shifter was a little heavy/rough moving through the gears, especially if you let the vehicle sit a 3-4 days. The issue would clear up after a little use, but I did manage to catch the codes one time an it returned a P0705.

Took it to the dealer as it was CPO, and they said that the sensor was a mess....so much corrosion they had a tough time removing it. Replaced the sensor/switch and so far so good.

Attached Images

 

Thanks for updating us. My issue is gone so far, shifter has been working fine, no issues whatsoever. I'm out of warranty, so I'm waiting when any symptoms appear again so I can replace sensor. Or hope that maybe it fixed itself for good, although I doubt it : )

My 2010 sr5 seems to be doing the same.

It's been on and off for a couple years. Acts up more when the weather is around 0c and humid.


I'm just west of you near Burlington, btw.

Time for me to fix this finally.

Anyone have a clear picture where the switch is exactly in the truck? A quick look under the hood and I'm not seeing it. Should be in the driver's side visible from the top?

As far as I understood switch is underneath the truck on driver side of transmission. I took it to mechanic last winter and he replaced it for me. I was going take the switch off and see if I can clean it, but it was cold outside, I didn't see switch right away and was worried that it might finally be gone for good and get me stranded on the road in the middle of snowstorm. Cost me $150 for labor and switch was something about $250 USD

Thanks!

I just got an alldata subscription, but it doesnt show exactly how to get to it.

Its rated as 0.6 time to replace, so it must be simple enough.

If I cant reach it leaning into the engine bay from the top, it should be easy to get to from underneath.

Toyota around here wants $513.60 for the switch. Ouch. Toyotapartsdirect wants $360. Still ouch.

Now to see if the old switch can be cleaned out and reassembled. Not sure if the design on our truck has rivets or screws.

That sounds about right - I think I paid something over $500 CAD for replacement. A little bit step but it the only thing I had to repair so far so I told myself that $500 for 7 years is not too bad. If you get around removing this switch, please post pictures here, would be helpful to other who might have same issue.