Shifter Problems
- Thread starter zoommutt
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Unfortunately you most likely may have to replace the shifter assembly, try finding one at a savage yard, if you have the V6 and thusly the 4 speed transmission and not the 5 speed, only a shifter from a 2003 or 2004 V6 4 speed will work for you.
Search the 4th gen forum section for topics on this subject "floppy shifter" for more info on your issue, there's a few topics covering this.
Last edited:
Burgaboy27
New member
So question for you or anyyseeing this, I just swapped all of my transmission solenoids, my 99 had no balls in drive but went just fine in low, so I swapped solenoids, now goes in reverse fine and goes but in low or drive when I hit gas it chuggs and dies.
MikeinNH67
Senior Member
Mine recently started doing this too so I researched a bit and found the thread below. I actually don't mind it loose now that I'm used to it.
2003 T4R Floppy Shifter
This is the Gen4 forum, try the one for a 99.
MikeinNH67
Senior Member
I took mine apart yesterday and found the pin laying where it shouldn't be. That spring is way to stiff for the plastic in there but I guess it did last 17 years and 200k. For now I'm trying a pen spring in there. It is enough to keep the shifter in D3 when needed but really easy to move.
Swimupstream
New member
[MENTION=117854]zoommutt[/MENTION], curious what you found. I don't agree w the second poster who said you should have to replace the assembly... there are about 10 other simpler problems to solve way before that cash.
I had a different problem and found a lot of floppy shifters but not a lot about my problem (in the end the linkage came disconnected from the bottom of the shifter).
I had a different problem and found a lot of floppy shifters but not a lot about my problem (in the end the linkage came disconnected from the bottom of the shifter).
I didn't say he "should have to"...I said "most likely may have to", which my opinion is from my own experience and reading about many, many other shifters with the same issue, there are a few other ways to "fix" the issue but none are going to make it the way it should be, only better...unless as you think there's something that has come loose...which by the way is the first I have heard of a cable coming loose causing the "floppy shifter", a cable coming loose can however cause it not to shift the gears when moving the shifter through all the positions.
The only way to know for sure is to take it apart and find the actual issue!
I have not had it repaired. I have learned to live with it. I will show your quote to my car guy .Thanks
shadslayer
New member
I have same problem - did you find a fix?
I have exact same problem - did you find a fix? I will take of the console and look into the shift assembly. Hopefully I can find the spring that needs to be replaced. Any suggestions or tips? My 2004 SR5 only has 90K miles and I want to keep it for a long time. The Toyota dealership wanted $175 to just pull the console and look at it to give me an estimate - I said thanks, but no thanks.:cheers:
I have exact same problem - did you find a fix? I will take of the console and look into the shift assembly. Hopefully I can find the spring that needs to be replaced. Any suggestions or tips? My 2004 SR5 only has 90K miles and I want to keep it for a long time. The Toyota dealership wanted $175 to just pull the console and look at it to give me an estimate - I said thanks, but no thanks.:cheers:
miller507
New member
It really depends on how you drive, towing, etc.
I broke mine a few years ago and messed with it a bit trying to go the diy route and to be honest it got to a point were it was not something I'd worried about.
If I need 3rd I just keep it in place while passing or something similar, when wheeling 1st and 2nd are my gears of choice and if its something light just leave it in drive.
Replacing the assembly doesn't guarantee it won't happen again, it has a crappy design in which the spring is too stiff and the plastic guides are to flimsy.
Definitely consider replacing the stiff spring for a softer one at least if you decide to replace the whole assembly.
cheers,
I broke mine a few years ago and messed with it a bit trying to go the diy route and to be honest it got to a point were it was not something I'd worried about.
If I need 3rd I just keep it in place while passing or something similar, when wheeling 1st and 2nd are my gears of choice and if its something light just leave it in drive.
Replacing the assembly doesn't guarantee it won't happen again, it has a crappy design in which the spring is too stiff and the plastic guides are to flimsy.
Definitely consider replacing the stiff spring for a softer one at least if you decide to replace the whole assembly.
cheers,
MikeinNH67
Senior Member
As mentioned above do the search for "floppy shifter". Pretty common and there's at least one thread that has pictures of how they fixed it. I changed the heavy spring to a pen spring on mine and it does the job but does not feel like it used to of course, very little effort to move it but D3 stays locked. I also cleaned out the old grease and added new.