Auto Transmission Shifter

My 2002 Tacoma V-6 4x4 would not shift out of park. I removed the console cover over the shifter and removed a piece that was plugged in. After I removed that piece it shifts out of park even if I don’t have the key turned on or even in the ignition. Toyota says they can’t fix it or get that part. I still have it but it seems dangerous to me to keep it in this condition. What to do?

 

Is the part a solenoid? If so and auto salvage place might be able to source it. Chances of finding that transmission at a pull a part are low but possible.

 

It’s not on the transmission. It’s inside the cab and part of the automatic shifter. It was stuck in park so I removed the plastic around the shifter handle and the piece was underneath the handle. It’s what causes you to require for the ignition to be turned on before you can take it out of park.

 

Yes your best bet is an auto salvage parts store (where they pull the parts). Shifter assemblies get scavenged whole at most yards I’ve seen but that’s your backup

 

Thanks for the information. I can take the part with me when I visit the junkyard to make sure I’m getting the right thing.

 

Post a pic of the part. You shouldn't have to remove anything in that circumstance, there's a mechanical override built in.

 

Often times, is that the bushings in the shifter mechanism disintegrate over time- if you search here, you will find several threads. Once things are tightened up you might find it'll work as expected again.

 

Here are 2 pics. One from top and one from bottom of part I removed from underneath the shifter in the cab of the truck when it was “locked” in park and wouldn’t move.

 

That's the locking solenoid. If there's nothing to lock it, it's going to move freely. Put it back in and find the source of the problem (likely a fuse). In the future, all you have to do is push down on the white part and it will release.

 

Thanks for the info. Would the fuse be in the cab or under the hood or should I just search for it?

 

If that's the only thing you've noticed not working, I'd start in the cab