Tranny stuck in park, shifts freely

[PeakXV]

2001 Camry auto tanny stuck in park but shifts freely/effortlessly. a few weeks ago I noticed it not fully engaging in reverse with double clicking the button and binding a little. Powertrain just ended 2 months ago. 48,000 miles. Anyway to confirm if it is the shifter cable before weighing options.

[toyomoho]

Look in the engine compartment and find the transmission shift cable leading to shift arm on the side of the transmission housing. It should be on the front side of the trans (facing radiator). Have someone move the shift lever in the car while you watch for arm movement (or lack off).

[PeakXV]

Thanks Toyomoho. I just checked. Nothing moves! I noticed a cable that comes from the Gear stick shift compartment area underneath then into the engine compartment (front right side in front of fan and to left/below battery) drops straight down (fairly rigid ) and connects to a bracket then connects below to a small arm coming out of the engine/trans (right side). It is a rubberized cable with a stiff almost pipe-like cable inside. That cable is severed completely where it attaches to the arm. I guess that's probably the shifter cable. If so, at that location, do they replace it all or just reattach it somehow at the breakage point?

[toyomoho]

The end of the cable is bolted to the lever. Check to make sure the nut has not just fallen off. If not, I don’t think you can successfully repair this type of break. Looks like you will need to pull the center console to get at the other end of the cable. I think the on-line web price is around $32. Don’t know what the dealer would charge.

[PeakXV]

The Cable is broken for sure - does that mean the whole cable has to be replaced or just a section of it? I called toyota for a quote and they gave a rather vague answer saying they've seen them $200.00 - $600.00 - Thanks guys!

Here are a few photos of the break:

[toyomoho]

Thanks for the photos! $200-600 dollars wow! Was this just for the part or was installation included? The dealer almost always is higher (and sometimes much higher) then independent repair shops or an auto parts house. Call around for part prices and/or installation quotes from independent shops.

The Toyota dealer should be able to give you a very close quote, not something this wide.

The part still connected to the transmission was most likely crimped to the shaft of the cable. These two parts would need to be rejoined if you wanted to reuse this cable. Normally with cables likes this, it is just replaced.

Remember, the purpose of the cable is to move the transmission shift lever. No magic here. If you can somehow reconnect end bearing to the shaft you might get more miles out of the cable. How handy are you? If you knew someone who could braze using a touch, they might be able to do this. The bearing might get a little cooked. You can also buy end fitting bearings like this at hardware stores or bearing supply house. It would most likely need to be modified a little fit onto the cable. Then brazed or soldered to the cable. The cable and end fitting would need to be removed from the transmission housing area to gain access to them. Other wise, don’t know.

I suggest you run down part prices for other sources then the dealer, even mail order. They could ship overnight or 2 day and you would still be money ahead. If your going to have a shop do the job, again call around. You might be surprised (and pleased) at the price difference between Toyota. Post back with what you find out.

[Edmo83]

toyomoho is right.
when i had my Legend, my cable was gettin bad, not broken, my mechanic changed it for kinda cheap, if my memory serves me well, i believe he charged less than $100 including an OEM cable...not too bad compared to your quote. I've seen shifter cables on sale at various online stores....dunno what the price is tho....

G/L on changing it, shouldn't be too difficult, i believe you need to open up your center console nad get under the car. but it shouldnt take you more than an hour ot two tops.

[PeakXV]

Thanks for your help guys. I called the local garage, for a quote and the only shifter cable they could source .... was from the (drum roll) you guessed it - the local toyota dealer. @ $292.50 + 2 hours labour and 7-10 day delay for shipping a non-stock item. They said to check online or check local salvage if you need cheaper/sooner - so for their/yours suggestion and I guess I'll try that. Is there a PDF somewhere on this website etc. where I can get the exact part-number I am looking for - to make the search/inquiry a little easier?


P.S. I tried to take the nut off the transmission arm where the cable is attached but the
nut is in between 11/12 metric ..... so beat before I start with the handy-dandy job.

[Muddassir]

I am really surprised how could it break by itself in 2001 toyota? unless something really funny happen to it.

But also check, you might be under warantee.

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by PeakXV

Is there a PDF somewhere on this website etc. where I can get the exact part-number I am looking for - to make the search/inquiry a little easier?

Call a Toyota dealership (parts dept.) and have them look it up.

I tried to take the nut off the transmission arm where the cable is attached but the
nut is in between 11/12

Its 12mm.

I would soak it with something like pb blaster before removing it. It's all rusted.

[PeakXV]

Originally Posted by 88 LE

I would soak it with something like pb blaster before removing it. It's all rusted.

Thanks 88LE - I noticed all that rust in the lower areas --- I guess 6 months of heavy roadsalt here in the NE - takes its toll - maybe that's why the shifter cable broke off low.

[skewe]

2001 and it broke. i am happy that mine is still rolling.
been fighting the CEL from the day i bought it in 2004.

waiting at the toyo dealership @ the moment (free wifi) but it's going to be a pain when i get the bill

[toyomoho]

As yet, cannot find an after market replacement cable, but. Autozone lists a cable but states it is “coming soon.” Pioneer, which was listed as the manufacture, does not list it on their site.

The Toyota part number is below:

4cyl
Japan Built 3382033130
USA Built 3382006071
V6 All 3382006081

Check the sticker on the drivers side door to see where the car was built.

Alldata lists the price at about $179 and a 2.1 hr replacement time. You might want to call the Toyota dealer direct and get a part price.


Here are some other options:

Many web sites sell genuine Toyota parts at 20-30% off list. Get a phone number off the web; call them to see if they have the part.

Call a few of the major auto parts stores in your area and see if they have an aftermarket replacement.

Check the yellow pages for junk yards that part out Toyota’s, see if they would be willing to pull a used cable.
This might be a hit or miss depending on how the yard sells it parts and their interest. Some junk yards are willing to sell even the smallest part to you. The cable seem to fit cars at least back to 1999.

Replacement of the cable should not be a complicated event; the shop manual is on-line at TN. You could do the job yourself with a few tools. You can buy a set of metric wrenches and a socket set pretty cheap from places like Harbor Freight.

[PeakXV]

Thanks guys - I've sourced a salvedged shifter cable at a local Junkyard (that is linked online) for $100.00 - the guy said he's sourced several recently for the 2001 Camry and even had an idea where it had rusted/sheared off. When I spoke to them - Toyota pleaded/argued ignorance to the fact that there maybe a problem with that year/model cable .... but it sounds like the road salt must be finding a way in around that rubber shield and causing premature problems in that model.

All the garages are quoting 2 hrs labor (as per Toyomoho) . However, I got some wrenches and am have-ready to take a crack at myself - the gear shift console will whip off easy and the transmission arm nut is derusted - but my last question is ... is it bolted underneath the car where it goes into the interior gear shifter /console -- ie do I need to jack it up to get a nut and/or thread it through properly to the inside? ... I'm thinking that I probably do and I don't have a jack other than what was supplied for the spare tire.

[88 LE]

Originally Posted by PeakXV

is it bolted underneath the car where it goes into the interior gear shifter /console

The cable is routed 1 of 2 ways.


1. Goes underneath the car, then into the car.

2. Up and over the engine and through the firewall.


I'm not sure how its routed on a gen 4. On a gen 2, it goes underneath the car and on a gen 3 it goes through the firewall.


Follow the cable and see how its routed.



After you get the cable installed, make sure it shifts smoothly through all gears (P to L and L back to P). If it doesn't shift smoothly or into all gears play around with the position of the cable where its bolted to the arm on the tranny.