Automatic Tran shifter handle issue

I have hosed something up with my (auto tran) shifter handle. I removed the two screws and partially pulled off the rubber handle piece in order to mess with the console. Once I reattached it, the button on the handle does not always depress all the way, and therefore I can't always shift. The screws lined up fine again when I reattached. At a loss as to what I messed up.

Any guidance would be appreciated.

 

@Taco critter

 

Sounds like you assembled it wrong. Take the handle off again and inspect the linkage.

 

How many TW members does it take to diagnose a transmission issue?

 

Thanks guys. Will try again.

 

Hope this helps

 

Just in case you have to remove the handle..........

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...runner-solved-with-pics.494702/#post-15310342

 

thanks @jammer. picture helps. i bet that spring on top of rod got moved around a bit.

 

I too ran into a similar issue when taking apart my shifter handle last year.

My issue seemed to stem from parts 33625, 33631 and 33631A - shown above in Jammer's photo.

Part 33625 seemed to be very picky on how it sat in the spring - for me at least. It wouldn't disengage the guide/locking pin (I'm sure there's a correct term for what I'm describing) when I pressed it down. Picture below.


I think this is essentially the source of the problem. Your button can't press the guide pin down far enough to jump up to the next step (gear).
I jiggled 33625 around until it allowed me to fully push down this pin and essentially "switch gears" and then I carefully slid the rubber handle back on top and screwed it all back together.

Hope this helps!

 

You all knew this I am sure, but I did not. The pictures helped alot. It turns out that part 33625 is threaded and connects to the post. It seems when I twisted and pulled off the rubber handle, I loosened that part and the spring just enough to prevent the gears from changing. Thanks again.

 

Two related questions:
- Anyone know what the little clip (33554C) is covering up? Looks like some type of white switch or release.
- Anyone know how best to remove the overdrive switch (33504F) from the rubber handle? Should it just pop out or is it secured somehow?

 

How easy is it to get to the bulbs?
My bulbs blew out and can't see what gear I'm in at night. 33550d?

 

i don't know what to say...
now you are forcing me to think if i have ever ever had issues over the past 1/4 century+ rowing 5sp stick and not knowing what gear i am in at night without the knob being lit up or any dash light indicators telling me what gear i am currently in
thanks a lot, matic... thanks a lot
i may never be able to drive at night ever again

 

I know what you mean. My son drives mine from time to time and I'm afraid he's not going to get it in drive. From what I read on here it's not hard to change the bulb. There was a write up on it.

 

33554C is the cover for the shift lock override. I think all Toyota/Lexus models have those in one form or another.

I’ve removed the OD switch by gentle prying. It doesn’t exactly “pop” out — it’s retained by molded-in clips — but it can be carefully levered out without much trouble.

But then what do you want to do? The wiring is routed through the shift lever, and I’ve not removed one completely. In my case it was easier to change the bezel color by taking apart and reassembling the switch when I went from oak to charcoal interior. And it’s a fiddly switch when fully apart too, with tiny springs that would be easy to lose. (Note that a normal removal doesn’t require on to get inside the switch.

 

Thanks @4xdog
- So the switch under that clip is lock override. Thank you.
- I am trying to do what you did it seems; change the color of my interior. Tired of all the beige. I have changed the color of the console, door handles, and a few other things to black. Was hoping to either replace or color the shift handle also. Can you elaborate by 'taking apart and reassembling the switch'?

 

Here's what the OD switch looks like when it's removed from the shift lever., @plarson3. Note the clips molded in.


Here's what the switch looks like taken apart. One needs to do this to remove the shift lever "grip" while leaving the leads in place in the hollow shaft. Note how long the spring is in relation to the switch depth. It takes both force and perfect alignment to put it back together when the leads have been fished through the new grip. One needs to hold the connectors on until they're locked by the white piece, and the spring will take any opportunity to shoot off. Be really careful here, and use a sheet or a towel inside the truck to catch the spring when it rockets away the first few times you try to reassemble it.


You can see the OD switch in relation to where it's inserted into the grip in this image, along with the two crosshead setscrews that hold the grip on. Note it does not unscrew -- it lifts straight up when those setscrews are removed. This image does not show the shift lever rod or the OD switch leads.


TBH it might have been easier to remove the switch by digging into the shift mechanism more than I did. Dunno -- this approach worked when I switched oak and charcoal between two trucks, but it's almost certainly one of the more awkward ways to do it.

I believe 4Runners around the vintage of our Gen 1 trucks used the same lever, except it was in black. Folks will source one of those when they want a black interior.

 

Excellent explanation. Thank you very much.