# Toyota Tacoma Shift/Transmission puzzle **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** transmissions, tacoma, toyota\ **Created:** [June 21, 2022, 3:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-tacoma-shift-transmission-puzzle/184789 "2022-06-21T15:54:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WestSeattleMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c57346/32.png) [@WestSeattleMom](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WestSeattleMom)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 3:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-tacoma-shift-transmission-puzzle/184789/1 "2022-06-21T15:54:14Z")
Hi there all! I have a Toyota Tacoma, automatic (2008) with 119903 miles and something weird happened last night. I started the engine and shifted into Drive and nothing happened, all the check lights came on and there was no sound of gears shifting. It was like the shifter wasn’t connected at all. I put it back in Park and tried again. I may be wrong, but my impression was that the check lights went off and came back on after I shifted into Drive. Again, no sounds of the transmission engaging. I put it back into Park, turned the truck off and went to get my guy to help me trouble shoot. When I got back in, started the truck and shifted, everything was fine! I put it in reverse. All good. Then, just to be sure, I put it into Park and then back to Drive. It worked just fine. Is it possible that the throttle position sensor or shift solenoid is getting hinky? Would a visit to a diagnostic computer tell me there’s a problem upcoming if the truck is fine now? Thanks in advance for your knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 4:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-tacoma-shift-transmission-puzzle/184789/2 "2022-06-21T16:04:38Z")
> [@WestSeattleMom](#): > > Would a visit to a diagnostic computer tell me there’s a problem upcoming if the truck is fine now? If the _Check Engine Light_ was one of the “check lights” that lit up, it is possible that there is a stored _Diagnostic Trouble Code_. An auto parts store should be able to check this for you without charge. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 4:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-tacoma-shift-transmission-puzzle/184789/3 "2022-06-21T16:21:31Z")
If the Check Engine light is now off, you need a scanner/code reader that’s capable of reading history codes. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 4:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-tacoma-shift-transmission-puzzle/184789/4 "2022-06-21T16:44:08Z")
Sounds like the engine failed to start, doubtful there is a fault code in the PCM to explain why. ---
**Author:** ![WestSeattleMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c57346/32.png) [@WestSeattleMom](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WestSeattleMom)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 4:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-tacoma-shift-transmission-puzzle/184789/5 "2022-06-21T16:55:52Z")
Thank you! The check engine light was on. So worth a try. ---
**Author:** ![WestSeattleMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c57346/32.png) [@WestSeattleMom](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WestSeattleMom)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-tacoma-shift-transmission-puzzle/184789/6 "2022-06-21T16:56:59Z")
Thanks ! I’m not sure where to find that. My mechanic sounds like he doesn’t have that. ---
**Author:** ![WestSeattleMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c57346/32.png) [@WestSeattleMom](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WestSeattleMom)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 4:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-tacoma-shift-transmission-puzzle/184789/7 "2022-06-21T16:57:51Z")
Engine definitely was running - it runs beautifully! ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-tacoma-shift-transmission-puzzle/184789/8 "2022-06-21T20:50:07Z")
> [@WestSeattleMom](#): > > Thanks ! I’m not sure where to find that. My mechanic sounds like he doesn’t have that. Sorry, but if your mechanic does not have one you need to find a new mechanic. most Autoparts stores will scan your vehicle for codes for free. ---
**Author:** ![WestSeattleMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c57346/32.png) [@WestSeattleMom](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WestSeattleMom)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2022, 10:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-tacoma-shift-transmission-puzzle/184789/9 "2022-06-21T22:58:13Z")
I agree. It seemed really odd when he said that. ---
**Author:** ![jdmere](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jdmere/32/3002_2.png) [@jdmere](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jdmere)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 4:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-tacoma-shift-transmission-puzzle/184789/10 "2022-06-22T16:35:12Z")
Has the level of the transmission fluid been checked? ---
**Author:** ![WestSeattleMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c57346/32.png) [@WestSeattleMom](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WestSeattleMom)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 11:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-tacoma-shift-transmission-puzzle/184789/11 "2022-06-22T23:13:44Z")
Yes. Just was serviced about 3weeks ago. But will double check per your suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2022, 2:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/toyota-tacoma-shift-transmission-puzzle/184789/12 "2022-06-23T02:38:42Z")
In some vehicles if the ignition key is not turned back from Start all the way back to Run it gets stuck in between Start and Run where only the engine and a few other systems are powered. Try turning the key to Start with it in drive to prevent it from cranking with the engine already running to see if you can reproduce it.