Won’t start unless I shake the shifter

My 2002 Tacoma PreRunner first had the radio quit working. Now I turn the key and nothing happens. No sound at all. I shake the shifter, turn the key again and it starts. Could the radio and all of this be caused by the same thing? What could be causing this?

 

That would be the neutral safety switch. Wants to make sure it’s in neutral if it’s a manual, or park if it’s an auto.

Sometimes when you wiggle it, it makes the right contacts.

 

It could probably be the neutral safety switch causing your truck not to start but it's probably not actually bad. The shifter bushings are probably worn or disintegrated. Does your shifter have a lot of play, like in the side to side motion or diagonal? A bit of forward to back is normal but not any side movement.

It's a common problem on 1st gen autos. I actually just replaced mine last week. Of the four only 2 of mine were ok. One was completely gone & another one was in pieces. Got new ones from @Brice. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...er-bushings-now-for-sale-95-5-04-2022.605409/

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This made a huge difference for me as well. Something like $12 for the bushings and maybe 1-2 hours depending how slow you go.