I cant shift, please help.

Went into the store and came out and i cant move my shifter. I cant get it out of park and now my abs and traction light is on. Automatic.

Any ideas? Sitting in the parking lot here.

Thanks

 

I have no idea but maybe its something simple?

Can you turn the wheels? steering wheel isn't locked or anything?
Are you pressing the brake? maybe press it hard?
cycle the key a few times?

Take out the battery for a few seconds and retry..

I have no idea what it could be but those would be somethings i would try if I were stuck in a parking lot

 

I can turn the wheel
I am pressing the brake soft and hard

I guess i Will try the battery, ugg.

 

do you hear the shifter unlock when you press the brakes?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/question.386217/#post-10591764

 

No

 

Also if someone a little more knowledgable chimes in they will probably want to know what year ect your truck is...
imo sounds like something is wrong with your brake sensors or something

 

Is that overide button underneath the shifter i assume?

 

brake light switch was my next question. I've had to replace three in previous cars. It sucks because it won't allow the shifter to release.

 

Look here and see if it's there:

 

I took everything off by the shifter and found the release button and pressed it and now i can get it into drive. My abs and traction light is still on though. What do i need to replace so its back to normal?

You guys are great, thanks.

 

I would say have it towed to a shop to get checked out. Now that you can get it into drive, you should be able to get it on a flatbed, or tow truck, to have it looked into by a dealer. Could just be the brake light switch, but could be something more since your abs and traction lights are on. Did anything happen from the time it was working to when it stopped? Did you hit a pothole or anything on your drive over to the store? You may want to check your brake lights as well. If it's the switch it'll probably make them stop working.

 

No, nothing happened before it just quit. No notice. I am driving and everything seems good but i put it back in park and had to hit the release button again.

If anybody has any idea on what to replace please chime in. I would like to try to not take it to the dealer.

2010 Pre- Runner

What does the the brake switch do when it goes out? Can this shifter switch be replaced?

 

I know I read that sometimes it's a fuse, not sure which one. Either way, brake light switch or fuse, should be easy fix.

 

With the truck in park and the ignition on, have someone press the brake pedal and see if your brake lights come on.

 

Did you verify the status of you brake lights, i.e. Are they staying on or not coming on at all when the brake pedal is pressed?

I read possibly fuse IGN1 or IGN2 in another thread.

 

mine has never fully locked out like that but sometimes on hills I have to "slam" it out of park...

I wish you luck man

 

I agree. Need to find out whether those brake lights are functioning, if they're not, be very careful and mind your rearview mirror ... Use emergency flashers when braking to get you to where you can get it fixed/do the repair. Be careful and good luck.

 

As others have said, check the fuses first as they are easy and cheap to replace if needed. Check this thread for an idea of what the switch looks like:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/brake-switch-broke.113187/

Basically, when you press the brake pedal, it presses in the plunger on the switch making the connection to turn the lights on and release the lock for the shifter.

Edit: Some are plunger type. It looks like this one is actually just a little button on a piece that looks like a plunger.

 

Its gonna be the fuse. Check the fuses in the fusebox in the cab. Been there myself. I was doing some electrical work and blew mine. If the brake or running light fuse blows, it locks your transmission in park.