06 Tacoma 4x4 hard to shift out of park.

Ok, I have a 06 Tacoma 4x4 access cab v6 automatic. The truck is hard to shift out of park. I removed the shifter cover and removed the cable, the shifter shifted like butter! Then I put the cable back on the shifter and removed the cable from the transmission, the shifter shifted like butter! I took a pair of pliers and worked the shifter on the side of the transmission and didn’t appear to be terribly hard but not like butter. Thinking it was the neutral safety switch, I ordered and replaced it with a new one, shifts stiff like before??? Did I miss something or is there anything else I might check?
Another thing to add is that the transmission was rebuilt by the dealer. Not sure if this matters. Also, I haven’t changed the transmission fluid either.

 

Sounds like you've already checked everything outside the transmission case. Might be the selector shaft binding up inside

 

perhaps the shifting mechanism was installed incorrectly inside the trans. The first time I took apart a 4R100 trans I was amazed how simple the shifting mechanism was but also how easy it could be to screw up during the trans rebuilt.

 

Would this be a simple check or would they need to take the thing apart? I’m hoping they can just drop the oil pan but not with my luck!

 

not sure on the taco trans but my guess is you’ll have to take part more than just the pan.

 

Ok Thanks!!! Let ya know if I get lucky

 

Why make a thread for each problem when all of them seem related to the first thread

 

Didn’t think the light was related to the transmission?

 

Question??? If I take transmission pan off (when changing the fluid) will there be anything I can look for that might indicate why the shift mechanism would be hard to shift?

 

Update! She’s fixed!!! Had an old Toyota mechanic slide under the truck and saw a small hose clamp on the cable?!?! Said it should have been changed when the frame was replaced and this may be an attempt to repair the cable, he didn’t know. Cable is now replaced and the truck shifts like butter.

 

Thanks for the update.
At least it was an easy fix.