2005 Auto won't shift out of park!

Hello!
I have a 2005 SR5 Double cab 2WD.
Over the last 6 months, for no specific reason, shifting out of Park was nearly impossible. It would shift, but the lights on the dash to show if I'm in P R N or D wouldn't light up unless I finaggled the shifter a bit. It sat for a few weeks and now I can't get the truck to shift out of Park. I've checked all fuses, I removed the brake light switch (not sure if it will shift either way with this removed) but it still would not come out of Park. I disconnected the cable from the trans side and everything moves freely. I hit the shift arm on the trans with brakleen and some pb blaster but it still won't budge!

Any suggestions??
Thank you!

 

I suspect the gear indicator switch on the side of the transmission has broken, and has now jammed up.

The problem with the dashboard lights not matching is a strong indicator of the switch failure. The arm is plastic and breaks off.

That broken off arm can manage to jam the switch, which then blocks the shifter arm from moving.

 

Since it set for a few weeks, what is the health of your battery ?

"I removed the brake light switch (not sure if it will shift either way with this removed)".....Simply asking group, won't brake light issues contribute to shift issues ?

 

Battery is good. The truck fires right up. There's no warning lights on the dash either.

 

Hello. I know it's been 5 months, but did your issue ever get solved? I have the same year Tundra with the same trim package, and I'm having the exact same problem. My brake lights seem to work fine, no trouble lights on the dash, but will not shift out of park.

 

Yeah the joint on the shift linkage on the drivers side of the transmission was rusted in place. But after a bunch of cleaning and lubing, it went back to normal and has been ever since.

 

Rust---grrr!

 

I’m having the same problem. After sitting for a few months, I charged the battery, started right up but won’t shift out of park. Where did you need to do the cleaning and lubing?

 

You can pull off the steering column covers to get a full view. If you turn the wheel to the 9 and 3 o’clock position you expose the screws necessary to pull them of I believe. There were also some deep set screws in view on the side (I can’t remember if they were standard Phillips or torx). I cannot recall if those had to be unscrewed as well. Regardless, you’ll figure it out.

You can also use some lubricant to get the rubber portion over the shifter. I used Pam myself.

 

Look under the dash. On each side of the brake pedal lever is a plastic button. The green one activates the brake light and the blue one holds in a spring loaded plunger on the column that locks the shifter. When you press the brake pedal the plunger moves out and unlocks the shifter. If there is any corrosion on the plunger, it can get stuck. If it’s stuck apply a dab of grease to the plunger ball end and work the plunger in and out multiple times by pressing on the end with a flat bladed screwdriver. Note the button is flush against the plunger because my engine was off and I couldn’t press the brake pedal at same time as taking the photo.

 

Can you adjust the travel on the brake pedal? I’m finding that I have to really mash the pedal to get separation from the plunger and grommet to allow my truck to shift into gear.

 

I mean, I'm not saying it's so, but if you look at that picture, notice the flanged bolt is sitting in a slot, it would appear it can be adjusted. Maybe yours is loose and bottomed out? Or maybe that's not how it works. It's worth looking into though.