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Background. I have a 2004 auto Prado with 153,000km on the clock and have towed a 2.5 tonne van. At the end of Nov., I had the auto trans. serviced, full fluid change, at Toyota recommended auto trans specialist, reported all good. I have not towed the van since the service. Specialist when asked at the service said he used Toyota specified ATF WS (which I understand stands for fully sinthetic ATF). Despite Toyota saying the Auto does need any servicing for life I believe driving for 30,000kms towing the van qualifies for special operating conditions.
My problem. After starting the engine the other morning I could not move the gear lever from PARK to DRIVE. After some fiddle and diddle (read panic), I was able to with difficultly to move the lever to DRIVE. Later that day after a trip of 75 kms and a 2 hour stop the gear lever again would not move from PARK. A very strong pull finally got the leaver to move.
On one occassion since the trans., service when decending a steep slope I tried to move the gear lever from DRIVE to 4 or 3 and found the lever very difficult to move.
Where to from here. yes I've tried to contact the auto trans specialist but this is the Christmas close down period so it will be at least 3rd Jan before they will be at work.
After reading the Toyota manual I've discovered the 'SHIFT/LOCK' button and the very serious note indicating that if the transmission lever can't be moved, use SHIFT/LOCK and immediatly contact Toyota. I live in a rural area and my Toyota dealer does not do all services and sends you to other providers if his shop is not eqiuped.
Advice needed. Has any else experienced something similar and what do you do to get things back to normal?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
kenny
My problem. After starting the engine the other morning I could not move the gear lever from PARK to DRIVE. After some fiddle and diddle (read panic), I was able to with difficultly to move the lever to DRIVE. Later that day after a trip of 75 kms and a 2 hour stop the gear lever again would not move from PARK. A very strong pull finally got the leaver to move.
On one occassion since the trans., service when decending a steep slope I tried to move the gear lever from DRIVE to 4 or 3 and found the lever very difficult to move.
Where to from here. yes I've tried to contact the auto trans specialist but this is the Christmas close down period so it will be at least 3rd Jan before they will be at work.
After reading the Toyota manual I've discovered the 'SHIFT/LOCK' button and the very serious note indicating that if the transmission lever can't be moved, use SHIFT/LOCK and immediatly contact Toyota. I live in a rural area and my Toyota dealer does not do all services and sends you to other providers if his shop is not eqiuped.
Advice needed. Has any else experienced something similar and what do you do to get things back to normal?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
kenny
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