1993 camry auto shifting release button problem

The release button on the side of the shifter will not push in, thus not allowing you to shift into the gears. You can override this by pressing another button on the panel. What is causing the this release button not to work? And what is the cure?

There are two possible causes for this problem. One being in which the shift-lock module has gone bad, which can prove to be very costly, or something has just gotten jammed up in the handle. The first thing I would do is disassemble the shift lever to see if there is anything obstructing the button.

There are two possible causes for this problem. One being in which the shift-lock module has gone bad, which can prove to be very costly, or something has just gotten jammed up in the handle. The first thing I would do is disassemble the shift lever to see if there is anything obstructing the button.

I am experiencing the same problem with my 1993 Camry but I pump the brakes a few times and it releases. How would I take the assembly apart to check for binding?

It sure sounds like you may have a brake switch gone bad. If you cant get it out of park, have someone check your brake lights while you are holding down the brake pedal. If you have no brake lights AND you can't depress the shifter release, change the brake switch. If I remember correctly, it costs less than 10 bucks. It rests against the top of the brake pedal arm under the dash.

It sure sounds like you may have a brake switch gone bad. If you cant get it out of park, have someone check your brake lights while you are holding down the brake pedal. If you have no brake lights AND you can't depress the shifter release, change the brake switch. If I remember correctly, it costs less than 10 bucks. It rests against the top of the brake pedal arm under the dash.

Thank you. I will check into it and get back with a post.

It sure sounds like you may have a brake switch gone bad. If you cant get it out of park, have someone check your brake lights while you are holding down the brake pedal. If you have no brake lights AND you can't depress the shifter release, change the brake switch. If I remember correctly, it costs less than 10 bucks. It rests against the top of the brake pedal arm under the dash.

I have been doing searches for a Toyota brake switch, brake pressure switch, pressure switch. I am not sure of the proper switch. Is it called simply a brake switch? Is it the back up brake?

I am not sure if "brake switch" is the technically correct term but when I removed mine and took it to the auto parts store and told them I needed a brake switch, they knew exactly what I needed. The biggest clue for me was that I could not release the shifter button to remove the car from park. I knew that the first requirement was that the brake must be depressed so I started looking for a switch actuated by the brake pedal. To confirm, I had my wife check for brake lights and there were none. It is not exactly the easiest thing to get to but at least you dont have to remove anything else to get to it.

I am not sure if "brake switch" is the technically correct term but when I removed mine and took it to the auto parts store and told them I needed a brake switch, they knew exactly what I needed. The biggest clue for me was that I could not release the shifter button to remove the car from park. I knew that the first requirement was that the brake must be depressed so I started looking for a switch actuated by the brake pedal. To confirm, I had my wife check for brake lights and there were none. It is not exactly the easiest thing to get to but at least you dont have to remove anything else to get to it.

Your assessment was correct. I work nights so I was able to depress the brake pedal while looking to see if the rear lights came on and they did not (my current dead car was the reflector). I pumped the brake pedal a few times and the brake lights came on. I will call around to the auto parts places to find out what they have and keep you updated. Thank you for your help. :)

There is a boot or rather a rubber accordian cover over the stop light/brake light switch. One of the guys at work checked it for me and was reluctant to remove it because he didn't know if it was vacuum sealed. Is it? If not I can remove it myself and replace it but since I don't know if I can replace the rubber cover I'm not sure I should touch it. Help is appreciated as I am quite capable of following directions.

[QUOTE=hip2hop]There is a boot or rather a rubber accordian cover over the stop light/brake light switch. QUOTE]
I had to go out and have another look as I didnt remember any boot. After doing so, I realized that you are not looking in the correct location. The boot you are looking at goes into the lower firewall and houses the linkage to the master cylinder. You DO NOT want to cut into that. The brake switch is not inside this boot. It is a couple of inches higher on the brake pedal arm and touches the brake pedal on the driver side of the pedal rather than the firewall side. It really is not as bad to get out as it appears. If I remember correctly, I ended up busting out the old one but the new one goes in pretty easy. Best of luck..

[QUOTE=hip2hop]There is a boot or rather a rubber accordian cover over the stop light/brake light switch. QUOTE]
I had to go out and have another look as I didnt remember any boot. After doing so, I realized that you are not looking in the correct location. The boot you are looking at goes into the lower firewall and houses the linkage to the master cylinder. You DO NOT want to cut into that. The brake switch is not inside this boot. It is a couple of inches higher on the brake pedal arm and touches the brake pedal on the driver side of the pedal rather than the firewall side. It really is not as bad to get out as it appears. If I remember correctly, I ended up busting out the old one but the new one goes in pretty easy. Best of luck..

Thank you for the detailed reply. I will feel up the pedal further and hope for the best. :)

I installed the brake light switch and all is well with my car. I had to really jam myself up under the dash to even see it and it was tricky working with mainly just one hand/arm but I got the job done. The car brakes better now than it did before since it felt spongy. Thanks for the help.