Shift Indicator light

I bought my Tacoma about a year ago, and I’ve noticed that the gear indicator on the floor shifter doesn’t light up at night. I can see it perfectly fine during the day, but at night I have to use my phone’s flashlight to know which gear I’m in. Does this use a bulb that might have burned out, or was it never designed to be illuminated from the factory?

It normally wouldn’t be a big deal, but a couple of times I’ve accidentally shifted into the wrong gear at night when I wasn’t paying attention, and thats not exactly fun.

And yeah, I know if you just press the park-release button once it’ll stop when you hit Drive… but if your finger slips, you’re in 2nd, wondering why the truck won’t get up to 55.

Edit: Please stop attacking me for holding the park release button for too long. Sometimes I do, and sometimes I don't. That's off topic

 

Pretty sure you can get over 55 in 2nd. This is also a problem you are creating for yourself. You don't need to be in a gear other than drive- It's called an automatic for a reason. But I get it, I often use 2nd to deaccelerate... But I've never had an issue knowing what gear I was in... Also highly doubt I ever even look at the shift lever.

It's been awhile since I did the shifter bushing replacement, but I am pretty sure there are bulbs in there. Highly suggest you get some replacement bushings and just look around when you're in there...

 

There is a shift indicator bulb under there, and it can be replaced with an LED, which makes a big difference seeing where the shifter is at night.

 

https://youtu.be/OkRh8vp6iNE?si=NoZ6ZUOJzzGQSCLf

OR
on my vehicle with same issue with floor shifter indicator lite.....but a Subaru

took apart years ago
there is a flexible ribbon with copper contact....the moving shift lever has a contact
contact moves over the ribbon
mine was dirty from years of use....... i cleaned and worked for 6yrs......
now doesnt lite up except in P

 

You definitely can hit 55 in second, but the problem is 2nd is right below Drive. When it’s dark and you accidentally hold the park-release button too long, it slips into 2nd, and from my seat it’s basically impossible to tell. Being in 2nd without realizing it while merging onto the highway isn’t exactly ideal. my truck holds back a ton in 2nd, and my RPMs skyrocket trying to hit 55. At that point, I might as well just be throwing money out the window.

Thank you for telling me that there is an actual bulb tho.

 

You can shift between R/N/D without having to hold down the shift button.
I only held mine down long enough to get it out of park, then let the button go, and pull back. Once it stops, it's in D.
You can not go to 2nd unless you hold the shift button down again.

Again, Press button down, pull back one "notch" (reverse), let button go, pull back until it stops. You are in D.

If your shifter allows you to go to any gears other than R, N, or D with OUT the button being press in, your shift lock is messed up.
Which I never seen fail in that way. It usually fails in a way where you can't move the shifter at all.

 

FYI, this is how the LED bulb lights up the gear selections:



If only I could find an LED dome light bulb that would work...

 

Now you got me REALLY eager to replace that. looks sweet!

Current state of mine
(Please note that I would attach a higher quality photo but that is the photo I had most readily available to attach.)

 

That is what I specified in the post. My shifter isn't messed up it all it's just that I have a habit of full hand gripping and sometimes accidentally press the park-release button while shifting to drive. Barely happens but when it does it is heavily inconvenient.

 

Well, I guess you should inspect the light inside the shift console.
Good luck.

The correct light is #2721.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/light-bulb-replacement-shift-console.118867/