Cannot move the shifter from Park.

[codewzrd]

My wife has a 2004 Toyota Corolla S and today she tried to switch gears from Park to Reverse but the gear shifter would not move out of Park. Yes she was pressing the brakes (I asked). I don't know if she had the emergency brakes on or not. She had to press the Override button, located in the upper right corner at the base of the shifter. Once she pressed the button, she was able to shift gears. She got to work without issues.

This has happened once before a few years ago when the car was outside during a snow storm. Back then, she had pressed the override button and was able to get home. We had a snow storm yesterday but car was in the garage overnight.

Any ideas?

Thanks for the help.

[JasonA]

I think if you have to press the override button, it means that either the shifter cable or the brake-shift interlock function is mis-adjusted.

[codewzrd]

Jason,

Thanks for the quick reply. If it is mis-adjusted, is either or both (shifter cable/brake-shift interlock) easy to adjust? Can I do it myself? Or do I need to take the car to the dealer/garage?

Are there instructions online somewhere on how to do it?

[new echo owner]

Check the brake lights, the same fuse powers the shifter interlock. If they are working, then it could be wiring or the shifter interlock circuit problem.

N.E.O.