99 Camry stuck in park and won't start

[hilts2000]

My engine light came on yesterday. This morning I could not start the car. I jumped the battery, got it started and it ran for a while. I pulled the alternator and battery, both tested fine. I started the car back up but lost all my dash lights and now can't shift out of park!! Help.

[somick]

How did you test your alternator and battery?

And you of course need to read the code. A good code reader will read codes even on non running car.

Sam

[hilts2000]

I took the alt and battery to O'reily's they checked them out as OK. I was going to drive back up and check the engine codes, but couldn't shift out of park to go check the codes.

[RIP]

Have you tried the shift override switch? Don't recall the procedure but you remove the little cover just forward of the shifter and press the button. Check your drivers manual. That button is there specifically for when you can't shift out of park. The shift interlock system needs power to operate. If you loose power the default mode may be you can't shift out of park. Not sure.

If you don't have a driver's manual you'll find a copy in the Factory Service Manual thread at the top of the forum.

[jdmccright]

There is a park/neutral safety switch that prevents starting the vehicle unless it is in Park or Neutral (duh). I'd have that checked as well as another switch (for the stop lamps) down on the brake pedal that is required to be depressed before you can shift out of Park.

[Airjer_]

Originally Posted by jdmccright

I'd have that checked as well as another switch (for the stop lamps) down on the brake pedal that is required to be depressed before you can shift out of Park.

I have replaced a bunch of those in the last couple of months for some reason!