Automatic transmission shifter sticking

[ak85lp]

Hello:

I have a 2000 Corolla (Canadian model) and noticed the shifter has been having a hard time going into park. Tonight it was bad enough that I couldn't get it out of park at all and the engine would not start because of it. Eventually I figured out the little plastic tab to the left of the shift console pops up and there is a black plastic spring button in there. Once I held that down I got it into neutral and it started fine. It went into park after that but was still sticky.

Is there an easy fix for this and roughly how much would it cost?
Is it linkage or some kind of bushing and are they hard to change?

Thanks in advance.

[Buurin]

Originally Posted by ak85lp

Hello:

I have a 2000 Corolla (Canadian model) and noticed the shifter has been having a hard time going into park. Tonight it was bad enough that I couldn't get it out of park at all and the engine would not start because of it. Eventually I figured out the little plastic tab to the left of the shift console pops up and there is a black plastic spring button in there. Once I held that down I got it into neutral and it started fine. It went into park after that but was still sticky.

Is there an easy fix for this and roughly how much would it cost?
Is it linkage or some kind of bushing and are they hard to change?

Thanks in advance.

Is all the shift-ignition interlocking still normal? Can you turn ignition to LOCK and remove key without shifter in park? Can you shift out of park with brake depressed and ignition in ON?

Next I would do is to expose the shifter, disconnect the cable between shifter and tranny and check that it can shift smoothly. but this requires removing the center console and is a pain.

Alternatively you can disconnect this cable at the tranny side (it's only a nut there to a lever on the tranny) and feel its operation through all positions. If you feel anything unusual or sticking, then go through all the trouble above and find out what's going on.

[ak85lp]

Thanks for the ideas Buurin.

I ran out of time on this and had to take it to a garage with specific instructions to call me first before going ahead. Turns out the mechanic was very honest and found that it was a cable down near the transmission that had basically seized up. Once he freed that up it was a 100% better. Total cost...$45.00 labour!!

[Buurin]

Not bad! And now you found a good mechanic to go to going forward.