Auto Transmission not engaging

Hi all,
I have a 1999 Tacoma 4x4 with an auto transmission and it is not engaging. Yesterday drove fine and shifted smoothly. Today I put it in reverse and it did not want to go anywhere. Same goes for Drive as well as all other gears. I also tried it in 4x4 H and L. Shifting from P to D it makes a noise as if it were engaging normally but still will not move. It feels as if its in Neutral. I have read a couple great transmission articles on this site but have not quite found a similar thread. I live in a remote part of Baja so going to a dealer or even a transmission shop is not possible. Any ideas where to start? Thanks for any help

 

Check fluid level.

 

how remote... I am in cabo for the next 2 weeks, maybe I can help.

 

do some basic fuse checks first. then examine the harness that goes down to the shift selonoid connection. D/S of the trans just above the trans pan.

 

This would be my first item to check.

 

Forward and reverse in your 99 Tacoma are both mechanical meaning there are no computer controls for these gears . As others have mentioned , check your fluid level in park with the engine running . Its not uncommon to have an issue with a forward gear , but not very common to have issues with both forward as well as reverse

 

Thanks everyone for your replies.
I did check the fluid before asking here and it was fine.
I did tinker some more with it however, checking the harness which seemed in good shape and not much corrosion.
I also forgot to mention that no dash lights are on whatsoever.
So it really actually feels like the parking brake is on.
I went through the gears again and when I put it in 4x4 low and gave it a little throttle it wanted to go forward. I did the same in reverse and again it wanted to go but reluctantly. So I put it in drive and gave it more throttle and it gave a big CLANK and then rolled forward. Back in 2wd and it seems fine now, going around the block and reversing normally. I am about to do a few mile drive and see what happens.
The day before this happened I did use the 4x4 on the beach for a bit, could the transfer case have been jammed somehow?

 

check to make sure your rear parking brake is not Seized up . Jack up the rear of the truck and see if the rear tires spin in Neutral

 

both of my 4X4's my 96 Tacoma and my 03 Ranger do the same thing... they dont want to easily come out of 4X4 front axle operation mode. Both will clang just like what you said and feel like they are bound. It usually takes 2 or 3 reverse 10 feet, forward 10 feet for them to "undue". I think you are ok from here forward.