Hello!! My 97, 4 cyl. tacoma is cranking without the keys on the ignition. I had to take the battery cable off to stop the starter. If I connect the battery cable It will start cranking again. It also lock the shifter in the park mode but I was able to put it in neutral by removing the tab on the stearing column and pushing it in. Any Ideas on what could be wrong????

The easy check is the keyswitch. Next is to look at the starter. The contacts could be fused. Once you get the starter off, Toyota has a contact kit that is easy to put in.

Thanks lot0miles!!!! It was the contacts on the starter. Did not have to buy them just cleaned them real good and back on the road.