Stuck in Park?!?! (1 Viewer)

[OverlandDad]

My 94 FZJ80 has been doing great and I've been slowly correcting the little things that bug me, but this morning a new issue arose.

The truck turns on and runs just fine, but the gear shifter didn't want to leave park. After turning the truck off and on again, I eventually forced it out of park. I don't want to continue to force it. Is this a common problem? My plan is to remove the plastic covers to see if the mechanical linkage is sticking anywhere.

I'll take any advice for other areas to check and evaluate. Thank you!

 

[lazy]

are brake lights working? Could also be the thingy in the shifter that locks it in until the brakes are applied.

 

[BILT4ME]

My 94 FZJ80 has been doing great and I've been slowly correcting the little things that bug me, but this morning a new issue arose.

The truck turns on and runs just fine, but the gear shifter didn't want to leave park. After turning the truck off and on again, I eventually forced it out of park. I don't want to continue to force it. Is this a common problem? My plan is to remove the plastic covers to see if the mechanical linkage is sticking anywhere.

I'll take any advice for other areas to check and evaluate. Thank you!

Take an 8 LB Sledge to the shifter. If that doesn't work, use it on the ignition switch.

Or just sell the truck......... I'm sure SOMEONE locally might want it......

I'll give you $50 and even drag it away from QT.

 

[JohnVee]

Was your steering wheel turned hard? Was one front tire on top of something while the other was on the ground? You'll have to turn the steering wheel enough to allow the truck to exit Park if these are the issues.

EDIT: had this happen on other vehicles. assuming the 80 to be similar.

 

[jdayment]

I would start with brake lights working like above and check brake switch at the pedal as well.

 

[Mighty690]

Post #2. Yep. There's a little rectangular plastic cover that you can pop out below the shifter. Gently push a screwdriver or something down there and you'll be able to override the shift lock. Check your lights too.

 

[pjess50]

I'd bet money you have a brake light out as mentioned above. Happened to me too

 

[Irish Reiver]

Well you live and learn. I never knew a blown brake lamp would interfere with taking the shifter out of Park.

 

[lazy]

Well you live and learn. I never knew a blown brake lamp would interfere with taking the shifter out of Park.

It's more than likely the brake switch. Lights aren't tied to shifter as I recall.

 

[MoJ]

It's more than likely the brake switch. Lights aren't tied to shifter as I recall.

Shift lock override

 

[ozwallaby]

are brake lights working? Could also be the thingy in the shifter that locks it in until the brakes are applied.

Was your steering wheel turned hard? Was one front tire on top of something while the other was on the ground? You'll have to turn the steering wheel enough to allow the truck to exit Park if these are the issues.

EDIT: had this happen on other vehicles. assuming the 80 to be similar.

I would start with brake lights working like above and check brake switch at the pedal as well.

Post #2. Yep. There's a little rectangular plastic cover that you can pop out below the shifter. Gently push a screwdriver or something down there and you'll be able to override the shift lock. Check your lights too.

I'd bet money you have a brake light out as mentioned above. Happened to me too

It's more than likely the brake switch. Lights aren't tied to shifter as I recall.

There appears to be several differing opinions here.....

 

[panamacruiser]

First check the oil level on your tranny...if you could get it out of P after a while, then is NOT a blown bulb or switch (the lown FUSE happens to the 4Runner never heard it happening to the LC) Sfter you check your tranny oil, then check the level on your transfer (aka center diff) one of those should do the trick

 

[bulhas]

100% i went through on the trail in Moab, check your brake light fuse.... I tore down the interior on the top of a trail without EWD's and found out the hard way I blew a brake light fuse........

 

[Crab Sack]

First thing to check are the brake lights to see if they work. If not check the fuse.
If the fuse is ok perform a test on the brake stop light switch.
I had this problem and it turned out to be my shift lock ecu that had corroded.
Shift lock ecu is found right underneath the plastic that surrounds the shifter. It is a little black box that can be opened up to inspect the circuit board. Here is a pic of mine...

 

[zoojp]

Just like @Crab Sack said. Most likely an electrical issue. The brake lights and brake switch all need to work in order for the solenoid that will let the shifter out of park to work. If you check out the wiring diagram, you will see the circuit.

There are three fuses that provide power to the systems involved. Check the Cig, ECU-IG and Stop fuses before you tear apart the center console.

Then check that the lights work.

Then pull apart the console and grab a multimeter to troubleshoot...

 

[tominboise]

Seems like an opportunity to remove the shift lock solenoid altogether and eliminate the problem forever. Has anyone done this?

 

[zoojp]

Seems like an opportunity to remove the shift lock solenoid altogether and eliminate the problem forever. Has anyone done this?

The solenoid has plug on it, so you can easily remove it to test it.

My JDM 80 has a red button next to the shifter so I can hit the button and move the shifter without it running.

 

[OverlandDad]

Take an 8 LB Sledge to the shifter. If that doesn't work, use it on the ignition switch.

Or just sell the truck......... I'm sure SOMEONE locally might want it......

I'll give you $50 and even drag it away from QT.

You just want my truck!

I checked all of the instrument panel fuses and everything looks good there. I'm going to check the engine compartment ones tonight and the brake sensor switch next. After that then it's time to look at the shift lock ecu... Hoping to solve before we get to the shift lock.

@BILT4ME, Any luck tracking down your parasitic power draw?

 

[BILT4ME]

You just want my truck!

I checked all of the instrument panel fuses and everything looks good there. I'm going to check the engine compartment ones tonight and the brake sensor switch next. After that then it's time to look at the shift lock ecu... Hoping to solve before we get to the shift lock.

@BILT4ME, Any luck tracking down your parasitic power draw?

Not yet.
Old battery definitely tested out bad.
Old starter tested out good (but it was sticky, so I'm glad I replaced it)
Old alternator tested out good. Going to leave the New reman in it at this time.

The NEW battery only shows 12.28 V after a 14 mile drive. The alternator is showing charging 13.2V to 14.8V now. However, this morning before starting it, the new battery was down to 11.74V.

So, I have had an experience before that the NEW battery still tested good, but voltage was low, and it actually had a bad cell.

That said, I have checked out some of the other issues listed here: Key Ring light staying on-no. Dome light on somewhere - no.

I still have to disconnect the battery and remove fuses to isolate circuits. As long as I drive it every day, it will keep running. If I let it sit more than one day, it won't.

I'll keep looking.....

Mostly, I want your truck for the front seats.........

 

[OverlandDad]

Not yet.
Old battery definitely tested out bad.
Old starter tested out good (but it was sticky, so I'm glad I replaced it)
Old alternator tested out good. Going to leave the New reman in it at this time.

The NEW battery only shows 12.28 V after a 14 mile drive. The alternator is showing charging 13.2V to 14.8V now. However, this morning before starting it, the new battery was down to 11.74V.

So, I have had an experience before that the NEW battery still tested good, but voltage was low, and it actually had a bad cell.

That said, I have checked out some of the other issues listed here: Key Ring light staying on-no. Dome light on somewhere - no.

I still have to disconnect the battery and remove fuses to isolate circuits. As long as I drive it every day, it will keep running. If I let it sit more than one day, it won't.

I'll keep looking.....

Mostly, I want your truck for the front seats.........

They are sooooo comfy.

My buddy suggested trying the "Volkswagen parasitic draw testing" for your truck. He runs a high school tech education program in Canada.