1997 Toyota Previa Logo

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Joel Cherney Posted on Sep 26, 2017
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Cannot shift 97 Previa out of Park in to Drive - how to disable shift lock?

I can turn the Previa's engine on without issue, and the brake lights, fans, etc. all work. I visually inspected the fuses, and none of them seem burned out. I am depressing the brake pedal, but cannot shift out of park into drive. Is there any way to defeat the shift lock?

1 Answer

WelderArc

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  • Expert 118 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 27, 2017
WelderArc
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Have you opened up the shift sticks cover alot of times there a lil button on the inside which lock the shift stick in place you could press it with a screwdriver and it will release

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 261 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 14, 2008

SOURCE: 97 FORD E250 VAN SHIFT LOCKED IN PARK

check the brake lights to see if they work ithey do then the problem is in the locking mechanism, however if the brake lights sont work then first check the fuse, check the wires and the connector that hooks up to the brake switch under the pedal and if it is dammaged repair as needed and if yo get the lights working yo have made the lock to work also!!

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transit360

  • 74 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 10, 2009

SOURCE: Engine will not turn over or start when in park with key on.

You linkage is working properly it sounds like, especially if the indicator for "D, R, N", etc are lining up. However the linkage or the neutral safety switch may need to be adjusted. More than likely, it's your neutral safety switch.

The brake pedal release has nothing to do with the neutral safety switch when switching gears.

The brake pedal release is just a safety to prevent you from pushing the gear shifter accidentally. Actually, you should be able to start the truck without holding the brakes.

If the neutral safety switch is bad or misaligned, it'll do exactly what you're describing. If pulling it down in neutral starts the truck, then that's a sure indicator.


Anonymous

  • 106 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 06, 2009

SOURCE: 1997 ford f150 lariat - won't shift out of park

It sounds like the shifter lock out solenoid has gone bad.It is a solenoid that releases the shifter when you push the brake pedal.

Anonymous

  • 722 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 06, 2009

SOURCE: 2004 nissan titan, shift lever

Hello gary823

Thank you for choosing fixya.com.

First things first: I suggest taking your truck to a mechanic or an auto parts store that can do a diagnostics test done. If any fuses or relays are blown, this test should bring up any codes that would indicate any type of malfunctions.

The shift lever being locked: In newer vechicles, the brake pedel, as you know must be pressed in order for the transmission to be put into gear. There should be a sensor on the transmission that runs in cahoots with the brakes. This sensor tells the computer what gear the transmission is in. It is very possible that at the last time you put the vehicle in Park, that the switch had it's final moment of ability. If the sensor is in fact useless, it may be the reason the transmission is locked into Park. It may be the reason why the brake lights aren't working; and why the brake lights fuse is blowing. Also, check all relays, (can be tested with a fuse tester) and make sure all relays are good as well. Make sure also that the light sockets for the brake lights, tail lights, back up lights, and front running and blinker lights are in good condition. One faulty socket, can cause more than one bulb to blow, or cause fuses and relays to blow as well. Follow the wiring for the brake lights for as far as you can to ensure there is no damage (melted, broken, etc.). This could also affect fuses. This truck I see is barely 5 years old, but you'd be surprised how quickly parts and wiring and such will go bad, or wear out and/or just quit working.

If the transmission sensor is not the problem, and all fuses and relays are good. tranny fluid is full, check the linkage under the truck. It may be jammed somehow, or stuck. On the transmission, where the lever inserts, there is a seal - inside that seal, there is like a gear that the lever pushes in order to shift from gear to gear etc. You may need to have that checked out to make sure it's not broken inside. If your fluid is low, or empty, you may have froze up your transmission, however, you most likely would have been seeing large amounts of fluid in the frequent places you park. Another think to check is your differentials. Make sure the fluid is full in each, as well as the seals not leaking. The seal sits just inside the inner most part of the pumpkin (differential ball) where the yoke is inserted. Maybe you have just locked up the rear driveline. Check the seal on the front end of the driveline as well, (goes into the rear of the transmission (yoke). Check your U-Joints as well, making sure they are intact, tight. It may be a good idea to have them replaced if they look supsicous in any way.

These are all the things I can think of that would make your truck be stuck in park, and make your lights not work, and blow fuses.

I sincerely hope this information is useful and aides in the successful repair of your truck. Thank you again for choosing fixya.com. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance, or if you have any more questions or concerns (comments).

Thank you again,

carsandcomps
Guru, fixya.com
Oregon

Anonymous

  • 1615 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 10, 2009

SOURCE: My 97 F250 wont shift out of park? Engine starts,

most likely your brake switch is out. If you had a scanner you would be able to see if the computer see's you pressing on the pedal. Or if you know how to test you could check to see if it switches ( completes the circuit ).

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1999 Chevy Silverado won't go back into park once in drive or reverse. Set parking breaking and shut truck off and it will then go back into park. Is this the selinoid issue?

selinoid ? Solenoid Wouldn't think so , but you never know without testing . With the truck running you step on the brake which let's you shift from park into a gear . That part works right ?
Automatic Transmission Shift Lock Control Circuit Description
The automatic transmission shift lock control system prevents the automatic transmission from being shifted out of park position unless you depress the brake pedal with the ignition in run or start. When the ignition switch is in run or start, the current flows from the BU/LPS fuse located in the engine wiring harness junction block through CKT 839 (PNK) to the park/neutral position switch. The park/neutral position switch also feeds the backup lamps portion of the switch. With the transmission in park, the current flows to the automatic transmission shift lock control fuse located in the engine wiring harness junction block through CKT 275 (LT GRN). The current then flows to the stoplamp switch through CKT 584 (LT GRN/BLK). The current continues to the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid through CKT 1135 (DK GRN/WHT). The ground path is provided through CKT 1850 (BLK) to G203. When you depress the brake pedal, the normally closed contacts in the stoplamp switch open and the current flow is interrupted. When the current flow interrupts the automatic transmission shift lock control solenoid de-energizes. The transmission may then shift to another gear. Once the transmission shifts to another gear (except park), the contacts in the park/neutral switch are open thus stopping the current flow to energize the solenoid when the brake pedal releases.
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I have a 2008 buick enclave that I can't shift from the park position. It turns on fine with no warning lights.

Could be the brake switch or the shift lock solenoid.
You may be able to shift out of park by turning the key switch to the first notch and moving the shift lever. Make sure the brake is on to keep the vehicle from rolling. Once you are out of park, crank the engine in neutral.
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Park is release by a small solenoid, the solenoid is powered up by the brake light circuit, so if the brake lights don't work due to a bad switch or wiring issue at the switch park will no release. If the brake lights do work then the wiring to the solenoid may be defective or the solenoid is sticking. Every car I have ever worked on has a bypass for the park lock, check your owner's manual for information on bypassing the lock out when this type of problem occurs.
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Wont shift

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On my 97 villager the shift lever won't move from the park position it's like its locked whats the problem

check your brake switch thier is two one for your brake lights and one to activate the shift lock soliniod.
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My 2001 ford focus is stuck in park, stepping on brake, does not release it from park, and brake lights are not working.........

Without the brake lights working the shift interlock can't release. Turn the key just off the "locked" position and you should be able to shift to neutral and start the engine then shift to drive or reverse. Just don't shift back into park until you are parking the car to leave it.
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Will not shift out of park

Look in your owner's manual under fuses. There is a fuse for brake shift lock solenoid (fuse #1). You can still drive your car by turning the key on just enough to shift to neutral, and then starting it in neutral. You can shift to drive and reverse, but if you shift to Park then you have to turn the engine off and proceed as previously
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97 FORD E250 VAN SHIFT LOCKED IN PARK

check the brake lights to see if they work ithey do then the problem is in the locking mechanism, however if the brake lights sont work then first check the fuse, check the wires and the connector that hooks up to the brake switch under the pedal and if it is dammaged repair as needed and if yo get the lights working yo have made the lock to work also!!
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Sheift lock

The term "shift lock" is the system that is in place to prevent the vehicle from being shifted out of Park into Reverse or Drive WITHOUT having the driver's foot firmly on the brake pedal. The brake light switch on the brake pedal closes a circuit that energizes a solenoid under the shifter. When the brake is applied, and the solenoid is energized, the shift lever is no longer "locked", and can be moved to the desired position.
The idea here stems from a phenonomon several years ago that dealt with the issue of "Sudden Intended Acceleration". What was happening here was, for some unknown reason, engines started developing high RPMS for no reason, and several accisents were reported due to this issue. The vehicle would accelerate "unintendedly", when putting into drive or reverse, and could hit something.
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