Transmission doesn't engage

[davetonih]

Have a 2001 Camry 4-cyl with auto trannny. Camry was sitting for a few hours. Starts fine. I can move the shifter to any gear but it never engages. Checked the fluid level and it's fine. color is a medium red. Had the fluid changed a few years ago. My son has the car now and doesn't drive much - about 7500 miles a year. Any ideas? Thanks!!

[JohnGD]

With parking brake set and an assitant's foot on the brake pedal. Shift through the gears. Look in the engine compartment at the neutral safety switch. Does the shift cable move the switch? Does the backup lights come on in R? Does the neutral safety switch properly prohibit starting in gears other than P and N?

Just want to make sure the cable isn't broken first. The 01 uses the Aisin A140 series transmission. It's decent so I don't expect problems with later U-series transmissions.

Originally Posted by davetonih

Have a 2001 Camry 4-cyl with auto trannny. Camry was sitting for a few hours. Starts fine. I can move the shifter to any gear but it never engages. Checked the fluid level and it's fine. color is a medium red. Had the fluid changed a few years ago. My son has the car now and doesn't drive much - about 7500 miles a year. Any ideas? Thanks!!

[davetonih]

It was the shift cable - Thanks so much!!