Shifter won't move from Park??

[Sig220]

98 T4R, 3.4, auto, 4WD.

Problem: As of today, I cannot move my shifter from park to any gear without pushing in the little white button just forward of the shifter.

Somebody will surely know why this happens and how to correct it, checked the owner's manual and it only told you how to shift using the white button and said to see the dealer.

Thanks for your time!!!

 

[nor cal boy]

do your brake lights work?

 

[Mr. Leary]

do your brake lights work?

x2.

Change the fuse... drive on...

 

[Sig220]

Thanks Guys!!

Yep, it was the fuse. I pulled my boat trailer and launched the boat w/o disconnecting the trailer wires......guess I need to find where water is shorting them out!!!

 

[Muti007]

Did I read this right? If your brake lights are out, you can't drive the truck?

 

[wiretie44]

kinda your brake switch controls the shift interlock along with ignition hence you cannot shift out of park unless the car is on and you step on the brake but luckily toyota is intelligent enough to have installed the override

 

[JohnsD90]

Did I read this right? If your brake lights are out, you can't drive the truck?

Yeah, thats why Manuals are better.

 

[Muti007]

Interesting. I wonder if the lights being out doesnt effect the shifter but maybe the fuse being out does?

 

[steezemcqueen]

its because of the brake pedal safety. it has to see a complete loop

 

[Muti007]

its because of the brake pedal safety. it has to see a complete loop

Then wouldnt it also be an incomplete circuit on a manual?

 

[inshore4runner]

I had my driver's side brake light out and center lamp out...no problems shifting for who knows how long. My center lamp has yet to be replaced and I'm still driving with no problems. My bro got pulled over in my old '99 because the brake light was out. Maybe it's a pre-99 thing. Some people here do lose the ability to shift though. So to answer your question - maybe so, maybe not.

if the water shorted it, the fuse that powers all the brake lights, and the mechanism that allows the shifter to move would be blown. therefore not allowing the little mechanism to move. wen you have the key turned to on slowly press the brake and youll hear the little thing moving out of the way that allows the shifter to engage into gear. if youre bulbs are dead youll still be able to drive. *correct me if im wrong*

 

[inshore4runner]

Then wouldnt it also be an incomplete circuit on a manual?

i dont think they would be able to put a lock on the manual since it can be in any gear, and they would have to have that lock in all 7 positions...

 

[steezemcqueen]

Then wouldnt it also be an incomplete circuit on a manual?

manuals don't have a brake pedal safety since you can't just push it into gear without putting in the clutch

 

[Muti007]

manuals don't have a brake pedal safety since you can't just push it into gear without putting in the clutch

But certainly to start the manual, you have to have your foot in the brake pedal? So why not do the same as the auto and have it check for a closed loop when trying to start and having the brake down? I dont see why that would have to be any different. Doesnt matter what gear your shifter is in, Im guessing youd have to have the clutch fully depressed (neutral)) as well as the brake pedal down. I dont see why presing the brake down wouldnt check for a closed loop?

 

[inshore4runner]

to start a manual you dont have to use the clutch. put the truck in nuetral and press clutch start cancel. and you dont have to press the brake on manuals or automatics. and if youre good sometimes you dnt even need the clutch when shifting gears... haha

 

[steezemcqueen]

But certainly to start the manual, you have to have your foot in the brake pedal? So why not do the same as the auto and have it check for a closed loop when trying to start and having the brake down? I dont see why that would have to be any different. Doesnt matter what gear your shifter is in, Im guessing youd have to have the clutch fully depressed (neutral)) as well as the brake pedal down. I dont see why presing the brake down wouldnt check for a closed loop?

you do not have to have your foot on the brake to start a manual. you do have to have the clutch depressed. in the case of a manual, the clutch is basically the brake pedal safety on a automatic.

to start a manual, clutch must be depressed.
to start a automatic, vehicle must be in park or neutral.

you can't put a manual in gear without pressing the clutch
you can't put a automatic in gear without pressing the brake

as inshore said, there is a defeat switch for the clutch starting on manuals

 

[inshore4runner]

i know my buddys yota pick ups and tacomas have the clutch start cancel button, do the 5sp. 4runners?

 

[steezemcqueen]

i know my buddys yota pick ups and tacomas have the clutch start cancel button, do the 5sp. 4runners?

yep.

 

[4_Runner_Limited]

Thanks !

Saved me a lot of time and money!

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

My theory is that since more autos were made & most people don't want a manual, they only needed it on the auto. Also, if the break lights aren't getting power you don't need to move because to pretty much become a target for a rear accident. It still starts with them burnt out because the wires are still getting power, but the filament in the bulb isn't connected, thus no light. And you should check your lights on a regular basis, I usually check them every other time I get gas.