2010 4Runner - Stiff shifter - No D light - Toyota 4Runner Forum

Stewart · 12-07-2020, 04:50 PM

First. I tried search - apparently I'm using the wrong terminology.

Heres my problem.
The Trans shifter is stiff moving from P to D . In some cases the D does not illuminate on the dash - truck still drives normally when this happens but the ECO light doesnt come on.
I can bump it up to N a few times and the D eventually comes on.
I suspect a bad shift cable?

What could be the issue and what am in for?

Thanks

drewsro · 12-07-2020, 05:31 PM

Probably the shift position sensor. I had mine replaced last year due to rust on my 2012.

fkheath · 12-07-2020, 05:35 PM

Could be the parking pawl in the transmission. The parking pawl is used to keep the vehicle from moving (rolling) when in park. If you park on a slope, even a just a little one, there is stress on the pawl that makes it very hard to shift out of park. The solution is to learn how to park "correctly" which is to set the emergency brake before you take your foot off the foot break, thus the emergency brake will take the stress and not the pawl.

As for the "D" light, it could be as simple as the light bulb loose in the socket or a loose wire somewhere.

I doubt that either problem is the shift cable.

kenwilliams0803 · 12-07-2020, 05:37 PM

Yes. Search for NSS. I did mine earlier this year. It was a rusted 6 hour fiasco. There are at least 2 threads out there on it. It's called a lot of different things:

Neutral Safety Switch
Gear Range Selector
Gear selector Switch
Shift Position Sensor
Etc.

I let mine go too long and eventually my symptoms (same as yours) also turned into check engine light and no overdrive.

kenwilliams0803 · 12-07-2020, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkheath

Could be the parking pawl in the transmission. The parking pawl is used to keep the vehicle from moving (rolling) when in park. If you park on a slope, even a just a little one, there is stress on the pawl that makes it very hard to shift out of park. The solution is to learn how to park "correctly" which is to set the emergency brake before you take your foot off the foot break, thus the emergency brake will take the stress and not the pawl.

As for the "D" light, it could be as simple as the light bulb loose in the socket or a loose wire somewhere.

I doubt that either problem is the shift cable.

Nah dude. The shifter all of a sudden, like overnight, gets noticeably stiffer and you no longer get the D light on your gauge cluster. I promise it's not the parking pawl. Here it is in its native environment.

Stewart · 12-07-2020, 05:49 PM

So.. I went out and forced the shifter back and forth multiple times . it gradually became easier to shift and the light D indicator illuminated. I figure the cable needed lubricated. Crawled under the truck and lubed the crap out of the linkage. Works smooth as silk now.

If it reverts back, i'll add more to this thread.

kenwilliams0803 · 12-08-2020, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewart

So.. I went out and forced the shifter back and forth multiple times . it gradually became easier to shift and the light D indicator illuminated. I figure the cable needed lubricated. Crawled under the truck and lubed the crap out of the linkage. Works smooth as silk now.

If it reverts back, i'll add more to this thread.

I bought myself some time using a similar method and PB Blaster. It didn't last for long though and I honestly didn't want to be caught on a 9 hour ride and have it act up again on me. Once it came back and OD went out and the CEL came on, I said "that's it".

Good luck, hope yours lasts longer than mine did.

Stewart · 12-09-2020, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenwilliams0803

I bought myself some time using a similar method and PB Blaster. It didn't last for long though and I honestly didn't want to be caught on a 9 hour ride and have it act up again on me. Once it came back and OD went out and the CEL came on, I said "that's it".

Good luck, hope yours lasts longer than mine did.

Thanks for the info

Stewart · 12-09-2020, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenwilliams0803

Nah dude. The shifter all of a sudden, like overnight, gets noticeably stiffer and you no longer get the D light on your gauge cluster. I promise it's not the parking pawl. Here it is in its native environment.

Can you show me what im looking at and location?

Bossman · 12-09-2020, 10:40 AM

Some threads for future reference ... just in case!

First issue with my truck, any ideas what's wrong?

NSS/Range Selector Switch - P0705 code

Neutral Safety Switch

P0705 Error and bad Neutral Sensor Switch

scanny · 12-09-2020, 11:43 AM

It seems to be very similar to what I had a few years ago. I bet it's a Neutral Safety switch, providing that you have 2010 T4R you are overdue to replace it : ) Besides when D doesn't illuminate you probably don't have 5th speed engaged - I noticed that on a highway when my switch acted up.

Stewart · 12-09-2020, 12:10 PM

Fuk.
Ive read all the threads and my symptoms are the same. im mechanically inclined but its freezing outside.
Rockauto has the part for about $250 - Ill see if my local transmission guy will work on it.

drewsro · 12-09-2020, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewart

Fuk.
Ive read all the threads and my symptoms are the same. im mechanically inclined but its freezing outside.
Rockauto has the part for about $250 - Ill see if my local transmission guy will work on it.

Luckily I had mine covered under my extended warranty. I think the dealer wrote up the total for like $400 or so, but I only had to pay like $100.

kenwilliams0803 · 12-09-2020, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewart

Can you show me what im looking at and location?

Find the drain plug on the transmission pan. Then go straight up. Its above the lip there on the side of the trans. Passenger side that is.

2bazookas · 11-09-2023, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkheath

Could be the parking pawl in the transmission. The parking pawl is used to keep the vehicle from moving (rolling) when in park. If you park on a slope, even a just a little one, there is stress on the pawl that makes it very hard to shift out of park. The solution is to learn how to park "correctly" which is to set the emergency brake before you take your foot off the foot break, thus the emergency brake will take the stress and not the pawl.

As for the "D" light, it could be as simple as the light bulb loose in the socket or a loose wire somewhere.

I doubt that either problem is the shift cable.

I think your way off on your shade tree diagnosis. I park on a flat surface, always. Very rarely to I park on a hill or sloping terrain and I have the same issue.

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