2003 V8 In "D" but shows "4"

[haute]

Hi Gang

The other day, my '03 stopped going into "D".

It will *physically* go into D, but the dash indicator shows "4", and it drives like it is only in 4, so basically, no 5th gear.

I have tried a bunch of things, but there are no threads I can find on this problem.

Any ideas?

 

[NativeRunner]

I have the same issue 03 V8, if I put it in "L" it stays in 2 and "D" stays in 4.

 

[Bossman]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/168067-2003-shift-problem.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/117423-shifter-issue.html

 

[haute]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/168067-2003-shift-problem.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/117423-shifter-issue.html

Thanks for the links but that is not my issue.

The shifter is solid in both the D and 4 positions.

When I put the truck into D, the dash light goes from N to 4, even though the shifter is solidly in the D position. If I put the shifter into 4, then back into D, the D light on the dash flashes for the tiniest moment, then goes back to 4. When I'm driving, my rpm are higher, and the truck is clearly only capable of going as high as 4..

Now, to further make things whacked, VSC and TRAC are flashing, as if I need a Zero Point Calibration, when I start the truck in P or on an incline. If I start the truck on a flat surface, in N, the lights dont flash.

This all started when I put the truck into 4Lo, and locked the diff pulling my boat trailer/boat out of a really steep back-woods lake.

Dunno what to do...

 

[haute]

So, it turned out to be a small, wired, shifting mechanism in the console.

The electrical contacts had broken, so they no longer engaged the solenoids in the transmission.

Turns out I not only lost 5th gear, but 2nd and 1st.

Took a while to trace the electrical issue, but is was a much cheaper fix than a new transmission.

 

[TowMeOut]

You mind posting up some pics and maybe some additional details? This might help out some other folks down the road....

 

[AuSeeker]

So, it turned out to be a small, wired, shifting mechanism in the console.

The electrical contacts had broken, so they no longer engaged the solenoids in the transmission.

Turns out I not only lost 5th gear, but 2nd and 1st.

Took a while to trace the electrical issue, but is was a much cheaper fix than a new transmission.

You mind posting up some pics and maybe some additional details? This might help out some other folks down the road....

I second TowMeOut's request, anytime we can post as much as possible as to how an issue was fixed will help others for sure, like [MENTION=219057]NativeRunner[/MENTION] above!!!

Did you get a new part to replace the defective one?
If so a part name and number would be great to post!

 

[NativeRunner]

So, it turned out to be a small, wired, shifting mechanism in the console.

The electrical contacts had broken, so they no longer engaged the solenoids in the transmission.

Turns out I not only lost 5th gear, but 2nd and 1st.

Took a while to trace the electrical issue, but is was a much cheaper fix than a new transmission.

I have not seen/found another T4R post involving the same issue (outside this one), so any info you can provide would be great!

 

[haute]

Unfortunately, I didnt take any pictures of the defective part - sorry all.

I can say though, that if you take apart the console, in the shifter assembly, there is a white, plastic box on the side, with electrical contacts.

I've attached a picture from the Interwebz, which is the best one I can find, since none of the assemblies have been taken apart.

Iirc, the box dimension are about 2" high, 3" long, and maybe an 1" thick.

This is the part which broke.

Used shifter assembly cost me $250 (I'm in Canada, so obviously cheaper in the US).

 

[TooHappy]

The other day, my '03 stopped going into "D".

It will *physically* go into D, but the dash indicator shows "4", and it drives like it is only in 4, so basically, no 5th gear.

The shifter is solid in both the D and 4 positions.

When I put the truck into D, the dash light goes from N to 4, even though the shifter is solidly in the D position.

This is my exact issue as well. Hopefully I can get some time this weekend to dig into it. I will post back any updates. Thank you for posting the information.

 

[TooHappy]

As a follow-up on this issue, I finally got around to fixing it. The problem is with Part # 85903-60020. Some places list it as Control Module while others have it as Computer sub-assy, shift lock control.

I couldn't buy just that part from the junkyard but they sold me entire shifter assembly for $50. I swapped out just the control module and that did the trick. It was very easy, maybe 30 minutes to get it swapped out. (Another 60 minutes spent cleaning 15 years of crumbs, hair, who knows what in there.)

Thanks to the OP for finding the fix for this issue!