Transmission shifter movement stiffens

Hi, I've got a 2017 Tacoma TRD with an automatic transmission.
Shifter (gear selector) gives more resistance (stiffens) to movement than normal and then puts out a code PO705. Transmission goes into all gears and operates fine.
Code will disappear when shifter goes back to normal movement..no more stiffness.
It does act when the weather is colder and damp. Thinking it's a linkage issue ??

 

^P0705 is a circuit code for "Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction" in generic OBD2. Seized/frozen linkage can cause a stiff shifter, but wouldn't throw a code. I suspect your transmission range sensor is bad, maybe water got in and freezes.

 

Ok, makes sense. I'll start with the transmission range sensor and go from there.
Thanks for the reply

 

From what I understand about the AT, the shift cable does nothing but move the parking paw; all shifting is electronically controlled by solenoids. Sensor or switches in the console shifter.

Anybody know differently?

 

^According to the FSM section 6.6C, the transmission range sensor aka park neutral switch on the side of the transmission is still used to transmit P, R, N, D shifter positions to the ECM:



The S1-S6 manual shifting is done by switches in the console shifter.

 

That P1 connector on the right side of the transmission is sure hard to find. Thanks.

I've now identified four connectors going into the transmission:
The input speed sensor T6 at the front on the driver's side.
The output speed sensor T5 at the rear of the transmission on the passenger side just in front of the WS fill plug.
The 30-pin connector E1 controlling all the solenoids and temp sensors just in front of the output speed sensor.
The elusive P1 connector with the Park/Neutral Position Switch shift selection just forward of E1.

Two questions:
Any idea what the P20 Pattern Select Switch does? I suspect it is the ECT PWR button in the center dash, but not sure.

The feeling of "detent", i.e. of being in a certain gear. Where does that "feeling" come from, the console shifter, somewhere within the transmission or the Park/Neutral position switch located outside but attached to the transmission.

Engine/Transmission Schematic attached for your perusal.
Input and output sensors Page 4.
Solenoids and temp sensors Pages 8 & 9.
Park/Neutral Position Switch Pages 1 & 5.
Pattern Select Switch Page 7.

 

Hi all, replaced the transmission range sensor located on the side of the transmission. The old original sensor virtually crumbled apart while coming off, it was badly corroded. Everything works good now. It was difficult job. Coolant lines routed in front of the sensor made it hard to reach !