2001 Tacoma Won’t Shift into Park, Can’t Remove Key

Drove my truck today for a couple miles in a heavy, slushy snow mess. As I pulled away from a stop sign, I thought I felt what I can best describe as a grinding type of vibration. There was nothing audible. I attributed it to not having good traction. I arrived at my destination and attempted to put the truck in park, but could not. I put it in neutral and set the brake but could not remove the key. I left it that way to finish my errand. When I came back, I started it up and drove it home with no issues. Same problem when I arrived.

I checked the tranny fluid and it is where it should be. I disconnected the battery since the key is stuck in park (didn’t want to add dead battery to my list of problems). When I did that, I was able to remove the key, but still no luck shifting into park.

I did some Google and forum searches. Here are the possible culprits I have found:

• Shift interlock system
• Shift lever bushings worn out and not allowing proper alignment UPDATE: bushings are in good shape in the cab. Maybe further down there is a problem?
• Brake light fuse blown (which I can’t find a specific brake light fuse either under the dash or in the engine compartment) UPDATE: found it and checked it. All good here.

Can anyone help point me in the right direction? Anybody deal with this before? How did you diagnose and repair it?

2001, 3.4L, 4WD, automatic

 

There is usually a key hole near the shifter somewhere that you jab your key in and will allow you to shift your car into park and take your keys out of the ignition. I don’t have an automatic truck so can’t post a photo.

 

In this photo of the second gen., the circled item is a cover you can pop off, shove any key shaped thing or flat head screwdriver in to override the transmission gear position when the vehicle is off.

 

There’s a part by the brake peddle that you have to replace. I forgot what it’s called.

 

I did this on my 4Runner when it wouldn’t shift and for the life of me I can’t remember what that little solenoid switch is called down there. It usually gets gummed up over the years and then won’t register that your’re pressing the brake thus not allowing you to shift into gear.

 

Are you talking about on the brake pedal or next to the shifter?

Also, I tried the override switch with my key and it won't allow the shifter into park. I think that device is mostly meant to get out of park rather than into it.

 

Stop light switch or shift lock control switch?

 

Sorry duder, good luck

 

the shift lock is usually to get it "out" of park to move the vehicle.

@raschild you should at least be able to turn the key back far enough to "turn off" everything but the ACC functions. but since you got it out it's something else maybe?

 

Well, it's in park now and the key is out. The "fix" was to really jam the shifter forward into park (after verifying that there was nothing in the way). I was able to start it up and shift normally and the key released as expected. I suspect I've not seen the last of the issue.

 

the shifter bushings are wore out. When these bushing wear the shifter lever has slop in it and the shift lever does push the micro-switch for the interlock to operate properly.

 

That happened to me once on my auto 4runner. Turned out there was a bunch of that heavy slushy snow jammed where the shift linkage is on the side of the tranny. Like this -

 

I hope that is all it is. Any longer term effects from that snow I should keep an eye on?

 

I bent the linkage trying to force it into park so it wasn't lined up with the shifter (for example the transmission would be in drive when the shifter said neutral) but there's an adjustment nut on there to fix that. If it is just from the slushy snow getting jammed in there and not one of the other problems people mentioned just make sure it shifts into PRND2L after you clear the snow and your good.

 

I agree that it is most likely the four plastic bushings. Had it happen on two first gens. If there is any slop in your shifter, replacing the bushings will fix your issue.