won't shift out of park!!!!!

[4runnerchik]

HELP!!!! My beloved 4runner won't shift out of PARK!!! This AM when I started him up the heater wouldnt work which I thought strange, then when I got to my parking garage and I had to open my window to zap my card, my window wouldn't budge. So, I put the truck in park to open my door to zap my card, then when I tried to put the truck in drive it wouldnt do anything. In the end to move the truck I had to depress the shift lock button. Along with no power to the windows or sunroof I also don't have any of those lights on my dash (seatbelt etc) none of those are working also. I have no idea what is the problem (electrical??/) is ...........

Any ideas????????????????????

[Brian R.]

What year/model is the vehicle?

[91 funrunner]

if its an automatic 0 tranny fluid will do that ;/

[4runnerchik]

its a 1990 automatic limited edition model SR5 v-6 4WD. So you think tranny fluid will work even with the other electricla problems its seems to coincidentally have along with the PARK thing????

[Brian R.]

I think he meant that the computer will temporarily trash your electical if it detects low transmission fluid to prevent you from not noticing the low fluid level.

Check your fuses.

[C-DUBYA]

Did you check all your fuses? you never know, your Shift Lock is electronic so that could cause it to not work.

[91 funrunner]

well brian thats not what i meant, but thats sounds a lot more realistic.I didnt even know a computer would do that......learn sumthin' new every day

[Brian R.]

A computer won't do that, I was just guessing at what you meant...

[91 funrunner]

i see. i didnt mean to sound insulting(if i did) ;*)

[Brian R.]

np.

[SoCal Cal]

reviving a dormant thread...

i just had this problem with my 4runner and it turned out to be the "stop" fuse located under the hood. i replaced the fuse and the turn signal fuse blew in the interior fuse box. replaced the turn signal fuse and the "stop" fuse blew again. any advice other than to get a complete electrical diagnostic?

some background info... this past weekend was the first time i towed a trailer and it had the plugs for electrical that plugged into the socket hanging from my hitch. think there might be something related or is it just a strange coincidence? i checked the hitch wire as far back as i could follow it under the vehicle, but no scraping or deterioration of the wire insulation.

any and all help appreciated!

[Brian R.]

If the trailer is still connected electrically, disconnect it and see if that solves the problem. If it does, then you probably have a bad socket on the trailer or bad wiring to a socket. One of the brake light/turn signal lights.

[SoCal Cal]

did not have any problems when trailer was attached. returned the trailer to u-haul, drove home and that's when the "stop" fuse blew. any other ideas? i figure it's got to be something going on with the electrical, maybe the socket that goes to the hitch? is there a specific place where this thing plugs into the fusebox that i can disconnect and check?

anyway, i realized i forgot to mention year and model, if that's important. '97 Limited, 4WD w/stock 3-in-1 stereo and alarm/keyless entry system (RS3000, i think).

[corbinwaterski]

Did you just recently purchase/install the wiring harness for the trailer lights? If so I know with the Tacomas people have had problems with the no-name(non-Toyota) harness. It was causing symptoms similar to the ones you are describing. Good luck!

[SoCal Cal]

the wiring harness to attach to the trailer (on the 4runner side) was included with the hitch option. i'm trying to figure out where that harness interfaces with the vehicle electrical so i can perhaps disconnect it and see if the problem persists. anybody know where this (hopefully) just plugs in? thanks.

to clarify, the trailer is no longer attached. my vehicle has the electrical towing harness which was included with the hitch package (when purchased new w/vehicle) into which the uhaul trailer was plugged. i'm thinking that the problem lies within this harness and am trying to locate where the harness attaches to the vehicle electrical system to troubleshoot. thanks again!