Car won't shift out of park

[dustinastanton]

I just changed the starter and battery in my '99 Solara. The car starts just fine now but I have no power to the interior and the car will not shift out of park. Any help is appreciated.

[ghettosled]

when you press the brake pedal, do your tail lights light up?

[twodoorcamry]

^ Good question

if not, see my recent car stuck in park thread, from when I had the same problem

Help to pinpoint Car stuck in Park issue

[dustinastanton]

Tail lights do NOT light up. No turn signals either. Emergency flashers do work.

[fenixus]

yeah, you need the tails to work (check the brake lights switch) in order to shift out from Park (otherwise you need to use override button by shifter's trim).

[anti-seize]

Originally Posted by ghettosled

when you press the brake pedal, do your tail lights light up?

I'd take a good long look at your battery terminals, grounding cable, and positive cable. IIRC there's several wires that meet near the positive terminal. One goes down to the starter, others go around to various other parts. You just took them apart, so it's possible something got damaged.

Might as well check the fuses and fusable links too. I don't see any reason why they would blow during a battery R&R, but it's an easy check.

[anti-seize]

also, the starter is frequently used as a wiring harness "tie point" (thou I have zero experience with a Solara). Is it possible that you didn't get them all back in place?

[fenixus]

there STOP fuse, I believe 15A, behind the coin drawer. check it too as mentioned above.