Actually the 4Runner was garage kept. The actual sensor was clean and the contacts inside where nice and shinny.

My 2014 4runner just started acting up and I am thinking this is my fix.

First I noticed reversing out of driveway and then going into drive it felt weird. Get a minute up the road and then notice 4lo flashing. I wasn't even out of my neighborhood yet so I pulled over and checked to make sure I was actually in H2, shut the truck off and turned it back on and it was fine.

Then when I got out of Home Depot and started truck back up it was doing it again, 4lo flashing. The gear selector screen is blank (not showing P, N, D etc like normal).

I ended up turning it off again, starting up and going into 4hi, 4 lo, and cycling a few times and then was able to drive home without 4lo flashing again.

May just order the part to get ready to replace it. I am guessing mine is going to be corroded and not a fun time.

For those with a 2011 thru 2016 here is the newest part number for the safety switch ordered it Monday was at the house by Thursday night

There was another part number in the thread with like 60050 or something that’s the old version confirmed when I called and verified by vin

While putting it on was not as simple as just sliding it on, it went on with some grunts and maybe some grease and maybe small lean hammer of course tapping it on with the nut to protect it and maybe a file �� but it’s on and problems so far are gone

97 bucks 107 shipped

Switch Assembly Neutral 84540-35061 | Boch Toyota South

If this helps in the sensor breaks away from the compression collar what I did was take a dremal ever so gently and tried putting a seam on the top hoping a screw driving would finish the rest by splitting it open. After several f bombs i sprayed the hell out of it left it for the night. My hands took a beating they are to big to fit in the area.


The next night I took the good old trusting last ditch tool a small locking vicegrip locked it on the nut straight with the nut and the used a screw driver between the nut and teeth and pried back on the vice away from trans it moved a bit so I adjusted the wrench again repeating it over and over till it popped off.

My 2013 4Runner SR5 with 100k started displaying an error code P0705 with the 4lo blinking and trac off light on. It would intermittently come on when the car got wet and then go away when it dried. I called Toyota customer service (800-331-4331) to get the part# 84540-35061 (neutral safety switch) because I thought I could save some money doing it myself. For kicks I called my local Toyota dealer here in Minneapolis and they quoted me $195 for the part and $98 for labor. That was far less than others on this forum were being quoted so I had them do it. Maby it helped that when I called my local dealer I was able to tell them what I needed. Hope this helps.

I got to this point and the visegrips wouldn't work for me. My secret weapon was a slide hammer. 4 or 5 taps and it slid right down the shaft. The dremel did no good at all. Couldn't get the right angle for a good cut. Clean the exposed shaft with some emery cloth and spray liberally with pb blaster. Applied some anti seize to shaft and dielectric grease around the collar when installing the new one.

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Another data point on this issue.

My 2016 TEP had thrown code P0705 a few times starting this year, and since late last year the shifting mechanism as sticky at times. Vehicle is at around 45,000 miles, in the southern Canada rust belt.

I had the problem serviced at my local Canadian Toyota dealership. All amounts in C$ and following standard Toyota Canada shop charges...

Diagnose P0705 (0.5hr): $70
Techstream Data Charge: $17
Part 84540-35061: $284
Part labour (2.0hr): $280
Total including VAT: C$736 (about US$610)


The $87 for diagnosis is a bit funny since code P0705 is pretty obvious what the problem is. But I know it was going to be covered, so..

Toyota performed the diagnosis but would not perform the repair until I removed my aftermarket skid plates.

The part number is the updated version of the part introduced in 2017. Hopefully it is not as vulnerable to the corrosion problem.

Service writer says the tech took more than 2.0 hrs since the factory part was basically fuzed in place.

Service was NOT covered by the Powertrain warranty.

Service WAS covered by the Toyota Financial Services Vehicle Service Agreement (TFS VSA) "Platinum 7/100" extended plan I purchased online with the new vehicle in 2016.

EDIT: TFS VSA Platinum only covered 0.9 hours of shop time total (diagnose+install) and not the full 0.5+2.0 hours billed to me by the dealer.

I too have this same stiff shifter and randomly it'll work fine, other days (especially after a rain) it malfunctions. I gearing up to try to purchase a replacement and have a go at it as well. been soaking it with penetrating oil on and Off in preparation, hoping I can get the part , i havent yet tried to find one, will begin this weekend, fingers crossed.

SO is there a retaining clip on that SHAFT protruding thru the NSS? or just that single bolt up above, and it will allegedly slide off towards me (if I'm lucky lol)?

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Update:
I was able to obtain a new NSS, I see now what folks are talking about where the unit might be corrosion or rust fused to the transmission rod. I see now this bolt with locking ring when tightened squeeze's the protruding shaft.

I'll try to post my experience removing the old one and fitting the replacement.

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Would coating this in dielectric grease from new and undercoating the vehicle every year ensure this won't happen?

Mine's a 2014 and I had the flashing 4lo light. Called the dealer, part was just over $250 CDN and an hour labour to replace. The part looked nice and clean inside even though it's gone through a few years of salty Canadian winters.

I do the work in November on my vehicles .. change oils /grease /inspect the rust and remove it then use cold galv paint and then over coat with rustoleum high performance paint ..

I lube brake components with silicone brake grease and I put dielectric grease on the exterior connector pins ..

Good tip for the slide hammer. I’m surprised there was room to fit that in. Need to do mine this week. Part is on order. Soaking it with PB Blaster for a couple of days. Hopefully mine will come off without a big fight.

The mounting bolt hole looks oval. Once mounted do you have to adjust the switch by rotating it slightly or does it only ho in one way?

Were the nut and washer included with the switch or a separate order? Thx