HELP! I think I broke it...

[shaunone]

1997 4runner, 3.4 auto trans, 210K KMS. The other day I drove it home and attempted to park in the garage. As I moved the shifter forward, it wouldnt move past Neutral. It felt like something mechanical, as the shifter came to a very sudden stop and wouldnt go into R or P. I couldnt take the key out of the ignition, so I got mad and rammed the shifter into Park( I know I know). Anyways, I start it up today and try to reverse, but nothing happens. Every range (RND2L) is like neutral. When I go to put it back into P, it makes a ratcheting sound and then clunk. Any ideas? Thanks

 

[Pikeman]

Look under the vehicle at the connection going from the shifter to the Transmission. I forget if we have a cable or actual linkage. Either way you could have bent(if linkage) or broke(if cable) the selector. This sounds a lot more likely then any internal damage to the transmission. You may also want to take apart your center console and look at the selector lever itself for any signs of damage.

 

[SCRunner12]

Check your 4wd shifter if you have one. Sometimes they get bumped out of neutral and into 4hi. This will create the neutral in all gears effect. It happened to me in my tacoma years ago and I didn't figure it out till I towed it to the shop.

 

[Mr. Leary]

Look under the vehicle at the connection going from the shifter to the Transmission. I forget if we have a cable or actual linkage. Either way you could have bent(if linkage) or broke(if cable) the selector. This sounds a lot more likely then any internal damage to the transmission. You may also want to take apart your center console and look at the selector lever itself for any signs of damage.

x2. Check the linkage first. Post pics if you need to, and if thats looks fine we can continue the diagnosis from there.

 

[shaunone]

Thanks for the ideas, I'll check back in the morning and let you know how it turns out!

 

[shaunone]

SCRUNNER12 you are the man! Thanks for saving me a huge tow bill, I live 20k out of town! In my anger I must have jarred the 4wd shift lever into neutral mode, now everything works perfect. Now if only I can figure out how the shifter got stuck in the first place...

 

[SCRunner12]

Hey no problem. It sounded exactly like the issue I had and it was a simple fix, but one you wouldn't think of. I'm happy you didn't have to tow it and waste all that money.

 

[Hepar]

This is a prime example of why this forum rocks!