Toyota Repair: 1990 Toyota Corolla wont come out of Park, dish soap, fuse panel

Question
About 2 weeks ago I could not get my Toyota out of Park unless I hold the release button on the front of the shifter console and then press the release button on the shifter handle while hold the brake pedal down. Any suggestions to fix?

Thanks
Tom Milazzo

Answer
Check the 15A stop fuse in the fuse panel on the inside, if it's blown replace it, if not make sure all stop lights are working, if not check the stop light switch, if one of the stop lights is working it's not the switch, if all the stop lights are out then either all the bulbs are burned or the stop light switch is bad.
If none of that is the problem the shift interlock solenoid is stuck, the most common cause for this is that over time soft drinks may get spilled into the shifter area, the sugar in the liquids will gum up the noving parts of the interlock system and make them stick, if you believe this to be the case remove the cover around the shifter and spray a strong solution of dish soap and water into the area while moving the shifter through the gear positions, in some cases the moving parts will free up and the interlock system will function normally.