'98 LC Only runs with O/D off button pressed. (1 Viewer)

[Erasmus25]

Hey all,
Lurked on this forum for months while I have shopped and been working on my cruiser. I bought rig for a steal; it had a terrible knock in the old motor. I freighted a used 2UZ from Japan and dropped the new motor in. Turns over and runs great. Happy ending right?

Well... I noticed that the O/D OFF light was illuminated. Not thinking much of it, I pushed the button on the shifter to turn overdrive back on and the motor dies. The truck doesn't start with over drive on, only when the button is pressed. And whenever it is running, pushing the button kills the motor.
I've searched the Internet, including this forum and others. All the local "Landcruiser specialty" shops I've called are scratching their heads. I am at the end of my troubleshooting capabilities. I am bringing the car to a local guy with good reviews and Is willing to poke around on Tuesday.
If anyone has any brilliant ideas for what I can do or check over the weekend, or better yet has seen this problem before, your help would be much appreciated.

 

[Exiled]

This sounds like something wasn't connected right when the engine was reinstalled, possibly a different transmission connector between the wiring harnesses from different markets? I've never encountered something like this but that stands out as a possible root cause.