I haven't been here in quite a while because it has been uneventful until now for my wife's Highlander. She went out tonight and got gas on the way to an event and now it is stuck in park with the ABS light on and the light remains on until she turns off the SUV. I did wash it today and she drove about 15 miles with no problem. Before we get it towed to the dealer I asked her to let it sit until she is ready to come home in a couple of hours and try one last time. It starts fine but won't come out of park. Any thoughts are highly appreciated. Thanks.
Stuck at the gas station
We are back in the USA!
Last edited by Stage1; 01-03-2009 at 07:59 PM.
Reason: Modified profile location
I've seen this question asked a couple times, and when Toys were involved, part of the answer was to see if the brake lights worked. If not, the answer was a blown brake light fuse or bad brake light switch. Again, this answer is based on others who have posted the problem. Couldn't hurt to check, but personally, I didn't think the "mechanics" of the gear shifter could be affected by the electronics of the vehicle.
I've seen this question asked a couple times, and when Toys were involved, part of the answer was to see if the brake lights worked. If not, the answer was a blown brake light fuse or bad brake light switch. Again, this answer is based on others who have posted the problem. Couldn't hurt to check, but personally, I didn't think the "mechanics" of the gear shifter could be affected by the electronics of the vehicle.
DeWat
DeWat,
Thanks! I'll start with this and search for those articles and go check the vehicle.
Thanks! I'll start with this and search for those articles and go check the vehicle.
The more I'm reading, the more I'm understanding. It looks like there is a selenoid switch that releases the gear shifter when the brake is pressed. I've also read that when it is a brake switch issue, the problem can be bypassed by doing a little handy work at the brake switch itself. Hopefully, yours is something as minor (and inexpensive) as a fuse so you can be on your way. I did some google searching on "stuck in park" and "toyota stuck in park", which led to a lot of the information that I saw, to include some good help right here at TS.
The more I'm reading, the more I'm understanding. It looks like there is a selenoid switch that releases the gear shifter when the brake is pressed. I've also read that when it is a brake switch issue, the problem can be bypassed by doing a little handy work at the brake switch itself. Hopefully, yours is something as minor (and inexpensive) as a fuse so you can be on your way. I did some google searching on "stuck in park" and "toyota stuck in park", which led to a lot of the information that I saw, to include some good help right here at TS.
DeWat
Well, I went to see what I could do and the brake lights did not come on when applying brakes at first. A couple more times and they came on and I pulled the shifter out of park! I put it back in park and out again a few times and it worked fine but it did get stuck again and back to normal. I tried tonight and it works fine. I did notice one brake bulb out while driving behind her. I searched TS but did not find any information for a solution. If you could provide a link or two that would be great before I take it to the dealer.
is the cause
1. light bulbs that burn out, or
2. a failure of the brake switch?
the cause can't be a blown brake light because whatever it is keeps the lights from coming on while depressing the brake and prevents the stick from coming out of park. When the lights came on, I could pull the stick out of park.
I purchased a brakelight switch today and will install it tomorrow night and hopefully that will take car of the issue. The orange tip may be getting stuck or the sender may be going bad.
The dealer quoted me $210 which includes 1 hr labor to replace this part. I'll change it myself.
the cause can't be a blown brake light because whatever it is keeps the lights from coming on while depressing the brake and prevents the stick from coming out of park. When the lights came on, I could pull the stick out of park.
I purchased a brakelight switch today and will install it tomorrow night and hopefully that will take car of the issue. The orange tip may be getting stuck or the sender may be going bad.
The dealer quoted me $210 which includes 1 hr labor to replace this part. I'll change it myself.
Well it looks like you are going to beat the unnecessary towing and labor costs which is what I was hoping for! Here are some of those links that lead me to suggesting to check the brake fuse and switch:
Well it looks like you are going to beat the unnecessary towing and labor costs which is what I was hoping for! Here are some of those links that lead me to suggesting to check the brake fuse and switch:
DeWat
I really appreciate your assistance. I'll have to browse around here more. I forgot about the Kluger and see that DrMonkey has some LED turn signal mirrors on his HL. I think my wife will like those. It's nice to have a place like TS forums and thanks again DeWat.
05 Highlander Stuck in PARK W/ABS LIGHTS ON
The cause of this problem is easily remedied as well.
Linear Mode
