Werid transmission failure in 98 Camry

[overflow]

Can any one with experience tell what is wrong with the car? How can i fix it? How much of cost I am expecting?

The car :
1998 camry, 86000miles(t-belt not done), auto.

what's wrong:
wont start, no crank noise, tried to jump start and failed.
shifter stick is in parking postion, but the eletronic indicator says it is in L2 gear.
Car can move if I let the Ebreak down and push the car, wheels wont turn.
Seems like the transmission is not engaged.

Thank you.

[keisuke]

when put the key in does it acknowledge it when turned to ACC does the radio turn on..

if yes - starter or ignition might be bad
if no - might be battery or leads

how long has it sat, last oil change?

[toyomoho]

Open the hood, find a large cable going to a lever on the side of the trans facing the radiator. The cable is connected to the shifter column.

Check the shifter system to make sure the trans shift lever moves in sync with the shifter arm. The neutral switch position could be screwed up, the result being the starter will not engage.

Unbolt the cable from the shift lever and determine if it moves into park, neutral, etc.

[overflow]

thanks

radio react to the key as perfect

the car has sat literaturely 2 minutes since I last park the car, before my first failed start. (I am guessing I did something wrong to break it when I park it the last time).

I seriously doubt that it is the starter or ignition, cause the transmission should not be in 2nd gear. I guest that the transmission is sending a signal saying the car is not parked, that's why the engine wont start.

And also, when I try to start, almost every checking light turn on.

Originally Posted by keisuke

when put the key in does it acknowledge it when turned to ACC does the radio turn on..

if yes - starter or ignition might be bad
if no - might be battery or leads

how long has it sat, last oil change?

[tarbasd]

You say that the car can move, but the wheels won't turn. I don't understand it.

If the wheels *do* turn, then it is 99% that you neutral/backup switch moved away from its correct position the last time you put the car in "park". This is a kind of a triangle shaped, less than one inch thick flat thingy on the transmission. It is attached where the gear shifter cable runs to your transmission. It is held down by 3 bolts, if they are not tight enough, it can move when you move the shifter. If it moved, the car may think it is in L2, and won't start. Try to move it back and forth, then bolt it down and check the indicator lights. Repeat until they show the correct gear. You should be able to start the car after that.