Transmission Cable

[kanya3]

Hi Guys. I have a 2004 D4D Prado Automatic. Haven't really driven it much over the last year. Was driving it last month and noted that the 'D' gear indicator light on the dash wasn't working but it was driving fine otherwise. Didn't think much of it but next time when I tried turning it on, the battery was flat. Tried starting with my jumpstarter battery pack but it wasn't enough. Had to call the mechanic out who managed to start it with a bigger battery pack but batteries weren't retaining any charge. He advised that possibly fault in alternator and batteries will need changing. We changed the batteries. When we tried to move it, gearstick was stuck in parking. Mechanic tried quite a few times and eventually decided to cut the transmission cable underneath suggesting this was the only solution left. This transmission cable is on backorder from Toyota with delivery times in excess of two months.

I couldn't find it on any other stores on goggling. Could you please recommend any UK stores that might stock it? Has anyone else had similar issues with their gearstick getting stuck?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Juddian]

There is an issue with 120 gearshifts, the following is assuming Prado shifter is same as typical UK version of 120.

There's a small steel pin and spring under the gearstick which runs in a plastic guide, this provides that clicking action as you go through the gears, also without the pin/spring working smoothly the stick will be floppy on the horizontal 4/D plane.
What can happen is the pin gradually sticks in place as any lube it might have had gradually dries out, this puts strain on the plastic guide moulding which can break with enough force, many of us have bought and fitted a cheap modification which comprises a longer pin with shorter spring, its takes only a few minutes to fit this mod (a chap in Australia makes them and posts them out)...it's worth fetching the gearlever out and have a look see what's going on there.
The moulding might not have broken it might just be the case the pin has dislodged and jammed things up.
One chap at least has made his own pin on a lathe, who it was and when i can't recall, hopefully someone else can point you to dimensions etc.

Can't help with the cable, you might get it quicker via Amayama, or see if there's one that can be salvaged from a breaker.

The bulb in the D section on the dash is usually the one to blow first because its the one thats on the longest, it might only be a blown bulb, that was the case on my 95, Toyota parts dept can usually get the bulbs by next day.
Hopefully by now you've discovered if it was dead batteries or a dead alternator.