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Trouble Shifting into Reverse Completely

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by CoCotton, Mar 12, 2021.

  1. Mar 12, 2021 at 9:41 AM
    #1
    CoCotton

    CoCotton [OP] New Member

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    Trouble Shifting into Reverse Completely

    Long-time listener, first-time caller. I recently picked up a religiously maintained 2015 Platinum with 120k on the odometer. The truck drives well, but I'm having trouble getting the truck to shift into reverse completely.

    When shifting from park or neutral into reverse, the reverse indicator on the dash does not turn on, nor will the backup camera without playing with the shifter. If the shifter is in the "R" position, but the dash indicator is not on, the truck will still move backward; however, the truck can shift from reverse to neutral while in motion when this happens. I've had this happen on one occasion when aggressively reversing down an empty road.

    Could someone tell me if this is an early indicator of transmission issues or if it may be some worn parts related to the shifting mechanism? I'm looking to adding some suspension and electrical upgrades but do not want to commit the funds if I'm looking at transmission issues.

    I'll attempt to add a GIF of the issue to help give a better idea of what I'm experiencing. Thanks in advance for your time.

    Cotton



    RESOLVED: The neutral safety switch was going bad. I had it replaced, and now the truck shifts as it is supposed to.
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2021
  2. Mar 12, 2021 at 10:18 AM
    #2
    AZBoatHauler

    AZBoatHauler SSEM#140/ASCM#3/2ndGenNaysayer/BAF140

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    :eek2: Welcome. Sorry you're joining under these circumstances. Hopefully it is something simple.

    @ViktorG @Ruggybuggy you guys ever see anything like this?
     
    CoCotton[OP] likes this.
  3. Mar 12, 2021 at 10:30 AM
    #3
    tttrdpro

    tttrdpro Former Naval Person

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    Sounds like it is a problem with whatever it is in the shifter that tells the computer that you’re in reverse.
     
    CoCotton[OP] likes this.
  4. Mar 12, 2021 at 11:09 AM
    #4
    CoCotton

    CoCotton [OP] New Member

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    Thanks, guys.

    I have some experience repairing Land Cruisers and Jeeps, but that is limited to suspension, solid axles, cooling systems, and motor tuneups. My lack of transmission knowledge limits the amount of research I can perform and will make describing the issue to a shop over the phone difficult. That being said, if anyone can offer some technical words I can use to better research or describe this problem, they would be most appreciated.

    **I'm now researching the issue using the following terms: neutral safety switch, gear shift indicator, gear shift selector, gear shift cable, gear shift linkage, and gear shift bushing. This may be fairly obvious to some, but I thought it best to include it in case it helps someone in the future.
     
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2021
    T-Rex266 likes this.
  5. Mar 12, 2021 at 12:45 PM
    #5
    TXTundra2722

    TXTundra2722 Pipe Hitters Union

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    This sounds like a shift linkage or electrical solenoid issue.
     
    CoCotton[OP] likes this.
  6. Mar 12, 2021 at 2:20 PM
    #6
    Ruggybuggy

    Ruggybuggy Seasoned Veteran

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    Because your back up camera and reverse indicator are both coming on intermittently I would suspect a electrical issue and not the transmission. Do you have access toTechstream?

    You could try and remove the connector from the neutral safety switch and check for corrosion. Clean up the contacts with brake cleaner or electrical connector cleaner and blow out with compressed air.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2021
    2mchfun and CoCotton[OP] like this.
  7. Mar 12, 2021 at 3:37 PM
    #7
    CoCotton

    CoCotton [OP] New Member

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    I don't have access to Techstream, but I will look into making that happen soon.

    Intermittent may be the incorrect term for what is happening. The camera and indicator come on when the shifter is situated between R/N, not necessarily an electrical ghost type on/off situation. I'm going to look at the neutral safety switch and make sure the linkage is calibrated correctly. I'll check for corrosion while I'm in there also.

    Thanks for the input!
     
    Ruggybuggy[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Mar 13, 2021 at 4:30 PM
    #8
    CoCotton

    CoCotton [OP] New Member

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    I took a look at the shifter cable at the gear shifter and the neutral safety switch, and everything appears to be in good condition. I also checked the connector like Ruggy suggested but found no corrosion. A few spots at the gear shift and transmission cable got hit with some WD-40, which seems to have helped bring the dash indicator to read reverse more often today.

    I'm going to spend more time looking at the shifter cable. I have not found where to adjust the cable, but the manual states it is made at the transmission. These instructions, however, are somewhat vague. Is there a write-up on how to adjust the shifter cable? I hope it is at the transmission because I got stuck trying to remove the console that surrounds the gear shifter and don't want to break it down any further.

    Transmission Linkage.jpg Gear Shifter.jpg Service Manual.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2021
    T-Rex266 likes this.
  9. Apr 22, 2021 at 4:37 PM
    #9
    ELindner0541

    ELindner0541 New Member

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    OP,
    Glad I found this.

    Similar issue in my 2018– but mine is between the Neutral, Drive, and manual shift settings. The shifter pops/sticks without fail when returning from manual to Drive (sometimes not engaging the “D” indicator on the instrument cluster), with occasional failure to engage the “N” and “D” indicator on the instrument cluster when moving between Drive and Neutral (no popping or sticking). Common denominator = Drive.

    Curious to know if you were experiencing any popping or sticking with the shifter when moving through the shift pattern...? I’m thinking linkage but dragging feet hoping that:itllbuffout:
     
  10. Apr 26, 2021 at 9:53 PM
    #10
    CoCotton

    CoCotton [OP] New Member

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    I’ve experienced no pop/stick feedback from the shifter. My issue is strictly the dash/transmission not fully registering the reverse gear if it is not in the sweet spot.

    There is a metal tab that gives feedback to the shifter as it is moved between gears. Maybe it needs to be tightened? I wish I took more pictures when I disassembled the console/shifter, describing the shifting mechanism is pretty difficult.
     
  11. Apr 27, 2021 at 8:33 AM
    #11
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    Do your back up lights come on when you put it in reverse? I know these trucks do stupid things when the tail lights aren’t working. Like when someone blows a fuse installing LEDs etc. Just wondering if it could be your reverse light switch or neutral safety switch.
     
    landphil likes this.
  12. Apr 28, 2021 at 9:46 AM
    #12
    CoCotton

    CoCotton [OP] New Member

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    The reverse lights do not come on when the indicator does not read reverse. I'm going to put a multi-meter on the harness to see if there is a break in continuity while shifting through the gears. It looks like Toyota calls it an Automatic Transmission Gear Position Sensor - the part number is 845400C010 / 84540-0C010. It seems like a straightforward remove and replace, but I may leave this to a shop. I'm pretty well versed in Murphy's Law and don't want to fudge something up in the transmission.

    I found you on a thread that dates back to 2018 discussing the neutral safety switch. Did you have issues with yours?

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/neutral-safety-switch.30090/
     
  13. Apr 28, 2021 at 9:55 AM
    #13
    15whtrd

    15whtrd Mr. Blonde

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    No I didn’t have any problem with mine. I was just trying to be proactive on my knowledge of the subject. I have dealt with something similar on my old ram and it’s reverse light switch. I forget what you call it on those vehicles.
     
    CoCotton[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  14. May 27, 2021 at 6:21 PM
    #14
    Ccraftsmen

    Ccraftsmen New Member

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    Did you find a fix for your shifting issue?
     
  15. May 27, 2021 at 8:28 PM
    #15
    CoCotton

    CoCotton [OP] New Member

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    Not yet. I had a brief discussion with the local service department, and they believe the safety switch is likely the culprit. I'll post an update once the culprit is identified.
     
  16. May 28, 2021 at 5:48 AM
    #16
    2mchfun

    2mchfun Yeah it'll pull it, just don't expect to stop!

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    Looks to me like the instructions say to open the black plastic housing at the end of the cable near linkage and check the spring inside. Might want to try it. Seems to me one could also remove the cable and lube it well by allowing gravity to pull lube down the entire length while cycling it through the sleeve.
     
    RdKing likes this.
  17. May 28, 2021 at 7:53 AM
    #17
    CoCotton

    CoCotton [OP] New Member

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    I may give it another shot this weekend. The "slider" marked No. 2 on the diagram had little to no play, and I didn't want to break a piece of plastic.

    The indicator only has an issue with a single gear, leading me to believe the safety switch or an electrical gremlin to be the culprit. It has been slow going, though. Travel and a toddler limit the amount of time I'm able to spend below the truck. Sooner or later I will throw my hands up and leave it with the dealership.

    Thanks for your input!
     
    2mchfun[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. Dec 11, 2021 at 10:22 PM
    #18
    CoCotton

    CoCotton [OP] New Member

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    Issue solved. The problem was a faulty neutral safety switch.
     
    jrquist likes this.

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