Toyota Repair: Auto Transmission shifter stuck, solenoid switch, brake light switch

Question
Hi Ted.

My daughter's 97 Corolla CE (3 spd automatic I suppose) has done 100K+ miles. Everything was fine until Sunday night, after being parked for an hour at SFO, the darn thing started acting weird. When I was about to start the engine, I stepped on the brakes and I knew it felt funny - I mean it felt really stiff. I noticed that my brake lights were not working. Then, I soon discovered that I could no longer shift from PARK position - like it was just stuck.

The tow truck guy used a screw driver somewhere   near the shift lever and he was able to shift to NEUTRAL. He said I could shift it as long as I don't put it to PARK. However, while it's on DRIVE, some noise comes out every time I step on the brakes. Are they related?

Friend of mine says it could be a solenoid switch. Is that right - or is the transmission gone?

Thanks  

Answer
This usually happens when either the brake light switch malfunctions or there is a blown out brake light fuse, the tow truck guy used the shift interlock override switch located in front of the shifter which will enable the shifter to be removed from the park position, I'm not sure what the noise from the brakes is and I advise that you have a toyota dealer take a look at this problem.