Fix for play in automatic shifter (gear selector)

[Bad Luck]

was finally able to do this part. Now I can't get the shit back together without it locking my key in. I unplugged the battery last night to get the key out so I wouldn't drain the battery overnight. From what I can tell, the white "release" is in the correct spot to hit the solenoid and tell the computer to release the key, but it's still not working.

I'm probably going to either have to unplug the computer shift lock controller or disconnect the actual solenoid under the ignition. This is by far the most pain in the ass job I've done on the 4runner so far.

Are you sure everything is plugged in correctly?

 

[bdjcl]

Are you sure everything is plugged in correctly?

Yes, it's mainly only the 2 white plugs behind the transfer case shifter, and I have them both plugged in. When I had the long screw out of the base of the shifter, the gears were shifting through while I was angling that piece of metal to get the new bushings in. I'm wondering if the computer is now "confused" as to what gear it's in because of all of the inadvertent gear shifting while the vehicle was off.

 

[watersna]

Yes, it's mainly only the 2 white plugs behind the transfer case shifter, and I have them both plugged in. When I had the long screw out of the base of the shifter, the gears were shifting through while I was angling that piece of metal to get the new bushings in. I'm wondering if the computer is now "confused" as to what gear it's in because of all of the inadvertent gear shifting while the vehicle was off.

Did you have to take apart the white mechanism at all while replacing the bushings? I tried to do the same fix recently and took that mechanism apart in the process and had quite a time putting it back together. The two problems I ran into were the metal piston arm with the spring on it not being locked into place and the white plastic lever that actually extends into the shifter arm portion of the mechanism not being in the right place.

I know this terminology isn't too helpful but that's about as well as Ican describe it without having the mechanism in front of me.

FWIW, my shifter is just as sloppy with the new bushings as the old (which were actually in decent shape). Looks like my problem lies further down.

 

[Brian.]

Did you have to take apart the white mechanism at all while replacing the bushings? I tried to do the same fix recently and took that mechanism apart in the process and had quite a time putting it back together. The two problems I ran into were the metal piston arm with the spring on it not being locked into place and the white plastic lever that actually extends into the shifter arm portion of the mechanism not being in the right place.

I know this terminology isn't too helpful but that's about as well as Ican describe it without having the mechanism in front of me.

FWIW, my shifter is just as sloppy with the new bushings as the old (which were actually in decent shape). Looks like my problem lies further down.

The white part on the right (part of the shift interlock that keeps the shifter from coming out of Park when not running/no brake) does need to come off, but doesn't need to be disassembled. That's simply for access to that side of the bolt for the bushing.

And I'm with you on the "still sloppy", but I think it's because people aren't really defining "slop". Mine is all forward and back, the bushings take care of side to side that wasn't bad to begin with. Oh well, not like it was costly or time consuming...

For those who stop with just the top bushings, note that my bottoms were Much worse than the tops.

 

[APhelps]

All of my slop in my shifter (forward/back) and (side/side) went away with replacing all four bushings.

 

[bdjcl]

Did you have to take apart the white mechanism at all while replacing the bushings? I tried to do the same fix recently and took that mechanism apart in the process and had quite a time putting it back together. The two problems I ran into were the metal piston arm with the spring on it not being locked into place and the white plastic lever that actually extends into the shifter arm portion of the mechanism not being in the right place.

I know this terminology isn't too helpful but that's about as well as Ican describe it without having the mechanism in front of me.

FWIW, my shifter is just as sloppy with the new bushings as the old (which were actually in decent shape). Looks like my problem lies further down.

Totally agree. I only did the top 2 bushings and have no intentions of doing the lower 2. It ended up being way more of a hassle and I wish I hadn't of even messed with it. My "fix" was to remove the key lock box mounted directly under the ignition cylinder as shown in this video: YouTube

At some point I may try to figure out what's wrong with the white pieces at the base of the gear shift, because obviously it still isn't engaged or lined up correctly. Pretty sure I can just put it in reverse with the 4runner off at this point.