Toyota Tacoma Sticky Shifter Repair

[@Robyrob7771]

Same boat with the frame. 2006 new frame in 2017. Tight shifter after frame swap. Lubed linkages underneath did the job for me.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Glad you got it all fixed up Rob

[@marcinpasnicki248]

I think your problem is the neutral safety switch. With time it gets rusty and full of cra…Could be the reason of why it takes some force to move gear shift. It is on the other side of transmission.

[@fquintani46]

Thank you very much, your video helped me a lot. I didn't have the money to pay for a mechanic.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Glad I could help

[@FlyingJolly]

Thanks for the help. I'm having the same problem on mine. I think this saved me a lot of time, and it got me started in the right direction on a fix.

[@edpaine7982]

My gen 5 4Runner doing this. Glad I found all this good info.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Glad you liked the video Ed! Thanks for watching

[@animaldw6996]

My 2005 Tacoma did the same thing. It was the Neutral Safety Switch that's attached to the transmission. It needs to be lubricated as they get older or your cable will brake as mine did.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Good to know. Thanks for passing that along

[@denisd4050]

Good day Sandy. Fun time lol I think you should keep you the problems with it have a good week

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks Denis. Hope your week is going well and you and your family are staying healthy with all the problems going on around right now

[@deviousdoses2012]

My 05 4runner has similar issue. Shifter is so hard to shift as I let the truck sit for long periods, sometime I put so much pressure the cable pops off on the console and I have to tear it apart to re-attach. I had a shop lube the crap out of the PRNDL switch on driver side and it was smooth again. Now after letting the truck sit for the summer, it is soo stiff I cant even get it out of park. Should I focus on just the drivers side switch on the tranny, or should I also be lubricating the passenger side neutral switch as well ? I think I should replace both, this is happening too frequently now.

[@lancelangdon7569]

I Have the same problem if my truck has been sitting and it has rained. No issues if it's been sitting and it's been dry, which leads me to believe my issue is on the transmission end of the cable and rain water is getting down into that area.. I've noticed that if I sit there and just keep working the shifter back and forth through all the gears, it all starts working properly again. Thanks for the video. I plan to oil the cable and anything else I can get oil on down at the transmission. BTW, WD40 is not a long term lubricant as it will evaporate over time. Thanks!

[@sawingwithsandy]

That’s a good point about WD40, thanks Lance and I hope the issue works itself out for you

[@jamesbaxter2370]

my 2009 taco is doing the same thing. That mechanism is bad for sticking up especially when it gets cold. I recommend using penetrating oil and graphite lubricant. I see a few people using grease and thru my experience i think that eventually compounds the problem once the dirt gets in. ive had to periodically lube up this mechanism and work the shifter from park to low a few times to let it loosen up. seems to be worse if the truck is left to sit for a few days. In my case the problem is definitely the in shifter mechanism in the cab and not at the transmission linkage, because once the shifter mechanism is lubed up it moves so nice! very frustrating when its stuck!

[@linabalina6512]

Would know where a Manuel transmissions cables would be??

[@BigPapa-o9x]

I have done this very thing a number of times but it kept returning no matter what stuff I used. About 6 months ago I decided to try something a little more permanent and it seems to be working so well I decided to add a comment here. The spray lube fix works good and fast but trying my modification could be more permanent. It took me about 20 minutes to complete the fix. I removed the nut hold the shifter cable to the lever underneath the truck...it takes a 13mm wrench. Once removed, use a wire brush to remove the rust and corrosion buildup on both sides of the lever, from the nit, and from the shifter level connector. Then put a good coating of lithium grease on both sides of the connector, the steel lever, and the nut. Then reassemble (making sure the connector screw fits all the way through the square hole on the lever) and tighten. It's been 6 months so far without any sticking.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks for passing that along to me

[@Billymons]

Did this ever solve the problem. Had the same issue on a 2009 Corolla. It kind of fixed its self after some force full shifts. One month later the trans went. I really think the shifting problem was in the trans.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Hopefully the fix works for a while

[@spiralinglight]

Mine started throwing codes for this today. Lubed the linking and reset. Fingers crossed. According to tacomaworld forum. There is a plug behind the kick panel drivers side that can corrode and cause the code light going to go digging in there next if the code comes back

[@carolinianbushcraft206]

Worked like a charm!! Thank you!

[@dillonkoch72]

I didn't even watch this whole video and I already knew you need a shifter cable

[@DadsGotADeal]

thanks! man, working in the cold can be tough. my fingers get all numb and the thick gloves are a pain.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Yeah I know what you mean. It’s about 30 Celsius today but I know in another few months it’ll be negative 30 oh well.

[@clareyryan0001]

Hey Sandy, I had the same problem and use Seafoam deep creep to lube the cable and where the cable attaches to the transmission shifter. After 5 minutes the shifting was back to normal.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks I appreciate that. I’ll give that a go next time I’m down there

[@leosalas41ify]

Same problem on RAV4. Just shot wd40 in the shifting plastic. Apparently the wife and kids spilled soda in it and created a sticky mess. Not able to tell from looking at it, but it turned out to be the problem.

[@jimhill3546]

Love it! I wonder if the cable itself is binding? Perhaps try lubing up the actual linkage on the transmission where the cable connects. This might help ease off the strain on the cable and allow it to slide easier..try using some good synthetic lubricant :)

[@sawingwithsandy]

I certainly have time on my hands at the moment 😉 so I’ll get back under there and lubricate some more

[@awbirnie]

WD-40 is not oil. Its basically a cleaner. Hit it with a good penetrating oil after the WD.

[@sawingwithsandy]

Good point

[@adamr8628]

Yep, waste of time and money using WD40 for this job. And a lot of the people that watch this video are going to repeat that!! Uggh.

[@hamedghadirian1512]

It helped me. Thanks

[@candoallthings6748]

I need help, my car was running good then one moment I turn it on and the abs brake battery and slip light came on and I have no acceleration no power windows no headlights or hazard lights, ac works, reverse lights work, I replaced alternator, battery and throttle body and I need help

[@sawingwithsandy]

Unfortunately I’m not too sure what it could be

[@liddell373]

It worked!!!! Thank you!!!!

[@reaganhinkle7671]

Anyone know what the plastic insert piece is called if you need to order that? TIA

[@sawingwithsandy]

Unfortunately I don’t

[@MyClutteredGarage]

I had the same problem with my 2015 and also made a video. 👍

[@larrykluckoutdoors8227]

Try pouring a little maple syrup down onto the linkage for lubricant

[@sawingwithsandy]

Haha. If the maple syrup didn’t take so long to make the Canadian side of me would actually do that haha

[@Robyrob7771]

Hey just noticed… You have a SUNROOF! WTF? Where do I get mine?

[@sawingwithsandy]

It’s aftermarket. Was installed by a company in Mississauga

[@Robyrob7771]

@@sawingwithsandy Thx

[@adamr8628]

WD 40 is not oil. Its not a lubricant either. Temporarily it may seem like it

[@deanhann9805]

You should have a good look at your Neutral safety switch...that might be your problem. Just a thought.

[@sawingwithsandy]

That’s a good point. I have checked it and it’s freely moving. Is there anything in particular i should check for with it?

[@HappyLife272]

or maybe a new linkage

[@rosco9607]

Neutral safety switch needs replacing.

[@michaelbradley8508]

WD40 is a great product - I use it all the time for a wide variety of purposes. In this case however, considering the amount of accumulated material in the consul, I would have started with graphite. The WD40 will remain oily and dirt will stick to it. Graphite dries and the dirt won't stick. I guess they don't have vehicle safety checks where you live. Michael from Alberta

[@sawingwithsandy]

Thanks for the tip. I’m not familiar with graphite. Is that the name of the product? They have safety checks when you transfer ownership of vehicles in Ontario. Is it different in Alberta?

[@michaelbradley8508]

@@sawingwithsandy Graphite is a 'type of product' - not a brand name. There are several manufacturers. It basically is ground up pencil lead. You can get it at any hardware store in the area that cuts keys. It is a favourite with locksmiths because it lubricates the lock but the lubricant is dry and does not attract dirt also the lubricant does not 'stiffen up' in cold weather. You can also find it a bicycle shops to use on bicycle chains. Years ago Alberta had annual safety checks but they stopped them. There is talk that they might bring them back. Michael from Alberta

[@sawingwithsandy]

That’s good to know. Thanks for the info.

[@richardmaynard6381]

WD 40 is not a lubricant but a water displacement!

[@larrykluckoutdoors8227]

Resistance is futile

[@HappyLife272]

ya man wd40 is just a penetrating fluid you need grease!!!

[@jamesbaxter2370]

DONT USE GREASE it will collect dirt and bind up again

[@doi467]

lol i can make another dog out of that....lmao