Sticky Automatic Gear Shifter

[Runner Up]

Hi there,

I just picked up a 2003 4Runner V6 SR5 and the automatic gear shifter did not shift very smoothly between D and 3, and between 2 and 1. There was an audible plastic "snap" every time I switched back and forth (especially between D and 3). I sprayed some Fluid Film into the shifter box area, but it didn't really do anything. Last weekend while shifting into 3 I heard and felt the now familiar "snap", and then everying went completely loose. Now, there is a lot of slop in the gear shifter, and it will not stay in 3. I can drive in 3 if I hold the shifter in place, but if I let go of the shifter, it automatically goes back into D. So, the vehicle is driveable, but 3rd gear isn't really useable at this time. I'm guessing some piece of plastic either broke off or a spring came undone.

I've taken most of the centre console out, but I haven't found the cause of the slackness yet. From the parts diagram that I got from Toyota, I can't quite tell yet what the problem is, so this weekend I'll take more of the centre console out, and try to take apart the black plastic shifter box.

Has anyone run into this problem before? Any idea what the problem might be? Is there anything in particular I should be cautious of when taking apart the black plastic shifter box?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[HokieRunner]

Hi there,

I just picked up a 2003 4Runner V6 SR5 and the automatic gear shifter did not shift very smoothly between D and 3, and between 2 and 1. There was an audible plastic "snap" every time I switched back and forth (especially between D and 3). I sprayed some Fluid Film into the shifter box area, but it didn't really do anything. Last weekend while shifting into 3 I heard and felt the now familiar "snap", and then everying went completely loose. Now, there is a lot of slop in the gear shifter, and it will not stay in 3. I can drive in 3 if I hold the shifter in place, but if I let go of the shifter, it automatically goes back into D. So, the vehicle is driveable, but 3rd gear isn't really useable at this time. I'm guessing some piece of plastic either broke off or a spring came undone.

I've taken most of the centre console out, but I haven't found the cause of the slackness yet. From the parts diagram that I got from Toyota, I can't quite tell yet what the problem is, so this weekend I'll take more of the centre console out, and try to take apart the black plastic shifter box.

Has anyone run into this problem before? Any idea what the problem might be? Is there anything in particular I should be cautious of when taking apart the black plastic shifter box?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

There was a thread a while back on here where they diagnosed and fixed the issue. I tried a quick search for you but couldn't find the one I remember. This one has a bit of info:

floppy shifter

Rest assured the answer is on here somewhere...just have to find it. hopefully someone who knows the thread I'm thinking of can chime in.

 

[CookieRoe]

Can't comment on your issue, but I CAN say this is the first time I've ever heard of this. Sounds like something simple (hopefully).

 

[Runner Up]

First pic shows the black plastic shifter box with most of the centre console removed (clearly in need of a good cleaning) and the second pic is the parts diagram from Toyota.

 

[Runner Up]

Hokie Runner, thank you for the link. The problem I'm having is the same as the one discussed in that thread. The fix is simple, but unfortunately very expensive. Toyota won't sell the little plastic part that is prone to breakage, so you you have to buy the entire shifter box, which is over $1,000.

What can we do as consumers to get Toyota to initiate a recall on this?

 

[CookieRoe]

Hokie Runner, thank you for the link. The problem I'm having is the same as the one discussed in that thread. The fix is simple, but unfortunately very expensive. Toyota won't sell the little plastic part that is prone to breakage, so you you have to buy the entire shifter box, which is over $1,000.

What can we do as consumers to get Toyota to initiate a recall on this?

recall? Yeah, that's not going to happen.

How accessible is it? Maybe you can try epoxying it back into place?? Because it's just plastic, I'm sure there is a cheap fix to this.

If not, try calling junk yards.

 

[Runner Up]

Ironically CookieRoe, if the part were metal, it would be a cheap and easy fix. Because it's plastic, it is neither cheap nor easy.

 

[curtis325]

3D printer? Someone has to be able to fix this.

 

[Greydog]

Sounds like it may be cheaper too call some auto recyclers and see what you can find used. Even if it's the while unit, should be a lot cheaper than dealer cost.

Check taco world and also Toyota 120 websites, there are models that may share that same shifter box.

 

[Montego Murph]

I never know if I should continue an old thread and keep all the info in once place, or start a new one.

I'm having this issue with my 03 5-speed. Seems to stick on all the left-right movements -- from D to 4, and then from 2 to 1.

Has a solution to this issue surfaced yet, aside from buying the 1000 dollar box?

 

[CO_SR5]

I had the same issue on my shifter. I was able to fix mine by cutting the spring under the metal pin that rides into the shifter locations, and placing the rod back into the slot.

Mine was floppy before the fix. I know there is white grease in and around the spring and the metal guide pin as well as the guide itself. It might be worth it to try and re grease that area.



I do not know if I got lucky but I think the reduced pressure from the spring allows mine to catch just enough with out it grabbing and pulling it out.

 

[Montego Murph]

I'm perplexed at what causes the first phase of this to happen -- the "sticky" part. Generally as parts are used regularly, they get easier to move, not tighter.

Mine is currently sticky, but not yet floppy. Once I learn how to disassemble my shifter, I will do some investigating in hopes of finding a preventative repair.

The only theory I can guess is that the grease in that cylinder that holds the spring and rod gums up or hardens, preventing the spring from compressing. The rod then forces against the cylinder wall and cracks it. Again, just a theory based on the pictures I've seen. Maybe I'll think differently once I see it taken apart.

 

[sr3tlaw]

I never know if I should continue an old thread and keep all the info in once place, or start a new one.



I'm having this issue with my 03 5-speed. Seems to stick on all the left-right movements -- from D to 4, and then from 2 to 1.



Has a solution to this issue surfaced yet, aside from buying the 1000 dollar box?

I like to resurrect an old thread. It shows you've done your due diligence searching before just posting questions.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[CookieRoe]

I'm perplexed at what causes the first phase of this to happen -- the "sticky" part. Generally as parts are used regularly, they get easier to move, not tighter.

Mine is currently sticky, but not yet floppy. Once I learn how to disassemble my shifter, I will do some investigating in hopes of finding a preventative repair.

The only theory I can guess is that the grease in that cylinder that holds the spring and rod gums up or hardens, preventing the spring from compressing. The rod then forces against the cylinder wall and cracks it. Again, just a theory based on the pictures I've seen. Maybe I'll think differently once I see it taken apart.

Awesome! Let us know what you find out so the rest of us can do some preventive maintenance on this item!

 

[CO_SR5]

I'm perplexed at what causes the first phase of this to happen -- the "sticky" part. Generally as parts are used regularly, they get easier to move, not tighter.



Mine is currently sticky, but not yet floppy. Once I learn how to disassemble my shifter, I will do some investigating in hopes of finding a preventative repair.



The only theory I can guess is that the grease in that cylinder that holds the spring and rod gums up or hardens, preventing the spring from compressing. The rod then forces against the cylinder wall and cracks it. Again, just a theory based on the pictures I've seen. Maybe I'll think differently once I see it taken apart.

I think many factors go into the "sticky" shifter. While I had mine apart I noticed a few things.

1. There was a lot of grime, dirt, sticky stuff that fell down and into the shifter area.

2. The white grease in the shifter track and spring area was dry and or gone, that's to be expected over 14 years. Mine is a 2003.

3. Speaking of my driving I never really shifted past D/4. Because of that, the track was much more worn only in the common shift points.

4. Years of the pin being slightly pushed and pulled causes the plastic to fatigue. Which causes a small crack around the hole the pin and spring sit in.

I think a good cleaning of the the track, reapply grease to pin, track, and spring as well as shifting through all the gears more often would be the best maintenance. If it still feels sticky cutting the spring down to release a little tension also will help. Mine was floppy and I was able to fix it doing the above.