2000 automatic 4runner wont go into gear

[Derekl36]

Hey guys. I own a 2000 Toyota 4 Runner 3.4L (Automatic). A few days ago I arrived home car was running fine. Went to leave 15 mins later and my car wouldn't start. No crank, battery was fine, connections good. We checked the basics/most common problems eventually replaced the 120 amp alternator fuse. After replacing this my 4runner started up fine but I could not take my car out of park. Has anyone ever come into this problem or similar situations. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm a young guy and still have infinite things to learn about cars, motors etc. but I do have the help of my Dad and brother to assist me. Although I am trying to learn/research as much as I can on my own. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I haven't been able to find any forums with anyone else having problems similar except one saying a possible bad solenoid. Sorry if I'm way off the mark but i'm still young and learning. Once again any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Derek

 

[JimG]

My 'runner is a standard, so I don't know how safetyedup the automatics are, but is it something simple like needing your foot on the brake, or the parking brake being on stopping it from going into gear?
Is it sitting level? Does it feel like the parking pawl is jammed?

 

[fblainen11]

Check your backup lamps. I say this because you've had an electrical problem recently. If a bulb blew then there's a safety switch that won't allow you to move the vehicle from park.

Does the shifter move at all? If not, there is an overide button to the right of the shifter. I think you can take any key and press that override button. Its hidden under a small little panel/flap. About the size of a dime....only rectangular. It's some safety to let you know you've a light out.

Happened to me. Replaced the bulb and all was fine. It may be as simple as that. Removing the rear light assembly is easy. Unscrew the two screws and push the assembly away from the center of the vehicle. From there you can remove the light socket by turning it out. They are easy to fix.

Let me know if that checks out!

 

[bandman659]

If the no-start comes back (and I'd wager it will) and it's a single *click* with no attempt to turn over while all of the accessories (lights/radio/fan) work, it's the starter contacts. Don't let a shop convince you that you need a new starter. According to the parts guy at the dealer, the only thing that ever fails on these starters is the contacts get worn down. A new set of contacts will run you about $30 at the dealer. There's a good thread about replacing them in the Tutorial/Documentation thread.

As far as not getting it out of park, try the shift interlock override on the right side of the shifter, toward the front. Stick a key or something in it and try to move the shifter through all of the gear positions. If you can move it around, shift into neutral and (with the e-brake on) start the truck. If not, look under the truck around the transmission and see if there's something jammed up around the shifter linkage, because that's about the only thing that would stop the shifter from moving through all the positions once the interlock is disabled.

 

[lilsid112]

Sounds like your brake switch is toast.