Hi can anyone help my 1995 x300 sport is stuck in reverse and wont start. The gear selector is in the park position but the gear indicator light shows R, the car wont start and the selector lever wont move. Luckily its broken down in the garage so it will be oK and safe until I can get the problem sorted. Any advice would be appreciated.
I have found a thread re this problem on newer models@the Japanese recall bit@ does my car have a similar problem?

 

OK, panic not, it solves NOTHING.

Remove that odd "torx" plastic plug thingy at the top LH corner of the selector surround. Use the cars key, or something similar, and push it into the hole, you will "feel" the the lock solenoid lever as you push down, so keep pushing, and "wobble" the gearlever as you do so, and it "should "pop" out of "P".

Now you will be able to get it into "N" and start the car.

Now you also need to check under the car to ensure that the cable and lever etc on the side of the transmisssion is secure and not undone, thus allowing the thing to "slip" in lieu of engaging what you ask for from up top.

Why the lock solenoid is not releasing the lever when you stomp on the brake pedal with the ign ON is a mystery, but it may as simple as a blown stop light bulb??.

However, IF, the trans is actually in "P", and the lever is in "P" and the switch pack on the RH side of the mechanism under the ski slope has failed, or the pin has lost its groove (they do that), so the light for "R" is on, and the cars electronics (brain) recognises "R", and not "P". so obviously NO start.