2.2L Auto - can't get into Park - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

***dz63*** · 12-21-2008, 02:12 PM

Hi Guys,

Need your advice. I've got a 1996 Camry 2.2L Automatic. Today, I could not push in the button on the side of the shift lever to allow me to shift from Park to Drive. I pulled the key out of the ignition and started the car several times and then voila...suddenly I could push in the shifter button on the side of the shift lever to enable me to shift from Park to Drive.

Then when I got home, the opposite happened. I could not physically move the shift lever up into the Park position, resulting in me not being able to remove the keys from the ignition. Let it sit for a few minutes in the driveway and tried once again. Voila, I could now shift into Park and remove the keys. The problem appears to be randomly intermittent.

This is the first time I have observed this problem. Note that it's cold here -15C (+5F) and I parked in some deep snow (about 12") for about 20 minutes. After that is when I noticed all of the problems. Possibly, the cold and snow may be contributing to problem? I have the put the car in our heated garage for the night to let all the snow melt off. Will see what happens tomorrow.

Anyone else encounter this problem? Is there anything I can do to avoid getting stranded?

***toyomoho*** · 12-21-2008, 05:16 PM

The shifter lockout has a bypass. Look on the front of the console to one side of the shifter for a small plastic cover. Remove the cover and use something like a key to push down on the button under the cover while moving the lever out of Park.

You will need to repeat this process every time you want to take the selector out of park.

Check you brake lights for operation. The brake light switch also operates the electric solenoid the releases the selector. If no brake lights and the switch is bad this will effect the lockout system.

***ASG14*** · 12-21-2008, 05:30 PM

^ That has nothign to do with it not shifting INTO park though. Thats where it's confusing.

Open your hood and see if there are ise chunks at the front of the tranny where the shifter cables are. Maybe a chunk got lodged in there and was stipping the cable from moving. thats the only thing I can think of for why it won;t go into park.

***dz63*** · 12-21-2008, 07:02 PM

I wasn't even aware that there was a release button. I located it and tried it - it works good. That is a good thing to know about - thank you for that tip! The brake lights are working fine now. Maybe it is something intermittent with the brake light switch. I will keep an eye on that. There is quite a bit of snow packed in around the transmission, even after the car has been in the garage for several hours. I am not sure where the linkage is located on the transmission, so I don't really know if that was the problem that prevented me from shifting the transmission into Park. The snow should be melted by tomorrow am. Thanks guys for your helpful suggestions. Much appreciated. I will keep you posted if it acts up again and if so I will try to narrow down the symptoms.

nukem678 · 12-21-2008, 11:59 PM

Its probably a bad lock out soleniod. Id check it you can probably just jump it to see if it works. If you hit the brakes when you first turn on the car you can heat it click.

***dz63*** · 12-22-2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nukem678

Its probably a bad lock out soleniod. Id check it you can probably just jump it to see if it works. If you hit the brakes when you first turn on the car you can heat it click.

Where is the lockout solenoid located? Is it difficult to get at? Where is the easiest location to jump it?

nukem678 · 12-22-2008, 07:13 PM

Its right under the shifter. Just lift off the cover and youll see it. Try seeing if you hear the click though when you hit the brakes.

***dz63*** · 12-22-2008, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nukem678

Its right under the shifter. Just lift off the cover and youll see it. Try seeing if you hear the click though when you hit the brakes.

Yes I can hear the click when I press the brake pedal with key in the ignition in the "'on" position. The lockout solenoid is working very consistently today. Also no problem moving the shift lever into the Park position. I will keep an eye on both and post back here again if the problem arises. Thanks guys for your help.