96 camry floor shifter - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

yockblocshirock · 07-22-2011, 09:27 AM

Shifter will not lock. Shifter wont lock at all with or without key. driving down road it could possibly be pushed into reverse or park accidently. All fuses seem to be ok ??? Please help,

Thank's

ghettosled · 07-22-2011, 11:39 AM

just to clarify - if the vehicle is off and no key in the ignition, you can shift out of park?

dc_98_cam · 07-22-2011, 01:08 PM

There is a shift lock solenoid ... It allows the shift lever to go into some gear other than Park.
Could be that this is jammed, dirty, or otherwise stuck ...maybe just a bad electrical connection/connector.
The solenoid looks like it is located somewhere underneath the shift lever ... in the vicinity of the center console.

... probably a good idea to verify the ground wire connection is good ...
a white wire with a black stripe.

As far as the fuses go ... the Shift Lock ECU utilizes the cig/radio, the ecu-ig, and the stop fuses.

Have you spilled any sort of drink or beverage in this part of the car lately?

yockblocshirock · 07-24-2011, 10:33 AM

Thank's for the help guys. The shifter can be moved at all times, Off or on, running or not , key or no key. you can just grab it without pushing the button and pull it down to any gear. There is nothing holding it anywhere.
I will look for the shift lock solenoid, ground and check the cig fuse.
Thanks again

Pvt-Public · 07-24-2011, 12:52 PM

That is not a solenoid problem. It is a problem with the mechanical lock that runs down the shifter. you will probably need to pull the plate beneath the shifter to seen what is broken and or binding. Here is a link to removing the shifter for a Gen 4 I don't know if it is similar to your Gen 3.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t100756.html

dc_98_cam · 07-24-2011, 01:21 PM

+1 on that DIY link ...
If you examine the parts and it is obvious that something is broken ... see if you can get a replacement at a salvage yard.

... would appreciate a few pictures.

yockblocshirock · 07-26-2011, 11:04 AM

I took out the center console and replaced the shift lock solenoid, Your right that did nothing. I did checked the wire that feeds the solenoid with a test light with the key on and in all gears and there is no power feeding it.
I have been looking at the shifter,cable but dont see any broken parts.
This sucks. Ha!

Pvt-Public · 07-26-2011, 11:44 AM

You will only get power to the shift lock solenoid when you press the brake pedal, it's sole purpose is to not let you shift out of park if your foot is not pressing the brake. What you are describing is a problem with the lock that is actuated by the button on the shifter. nothing to do with the shift cable or solenoid.

yockblocshirock · 07-26-2011, 12:08 PM

I took the shifter out of the car and can see that the release button isnt springing back, It is binding for some reason.

You were right it was the shifter release.

yockblocshirock · 07-27-2011, 07:14 AM

I just wanted to say thanks to you guys for your suggestions. When I had the shifter in the vise it looked like it had a slight bend to it. something must have hit the shifter. the return spring for the shifter release button wasnt pushing the rod back up, It was binding. I fixed it.

Now I have to put this mess back together. Thanks again for the help