jgteg81

I have a '92 4runner, and it seems to be having transmission problems. It has a long hesistation from a stopped position. It is intermittent. It feels like it shifts into neutral for about 5-7sec when you want to accelerate then catches 1st gear and goes. The car just revs up like you are in neutral. Its definitely not anything with the fuel or timing. It runs perfect most of the time. I've had two transmission places look at it, and they can't seem to find anything wrong with it because it never seems to happen when they drive it. They said that it could possibly be the neutral start switch causing it, but they were unsure. If anybody has had similar problems or experience dealing with this issue, I would greatly appreciate any info. Thanks!

4RocRunner92

Check the valve body. One of the valves inside mine stuck ลลลล and melted some inner components.

ChickenLover

When was the last time the tranny was flushed (not a drain and refill)? If your ATF is fried, it can cause slippage. I'd drain a little out and smell it. If it's dark and smells burnt it's time for a flush.

YeloSub7

Mine was doing the same thing once in a great while, then almost all the time... I took it in and it was something about the transfer case.... but anyways, I need a new tranny/tranfercase gettup... so it sounds like thats what you need to... If its still somewhat drivable, take it to a tranny shop, lots of places do free diagnostic tests... That's what i did. And then got a tranny from a afriends yard thats all rebuilt and ready to go..... I actually am installing mikne this weekend...

Lysmachia

Your problem sounds somewhat similar to mine. A few weeks ago on my way to Moab I was driving my 3.0L V6 4Runner pretty hard. (High RPMs etc). When I coasted of the highway for the Moab Turnoff and came to a stop my tranny would not engage. We pulled over thinking maybe I had overheated it and gave it about 30 minutes. I started it up and tried again. Nothing. Just high RPM revving. Then I tried reverse and it worked. Eventually we tried 4L in the lowest gear (1) and it would go. I then moved it from 1, to 2, and then eventually Drive (all still in 4L). Once I was at maximum speed I moved it to 4H. Eventually I was able to move it to 2H.

Now we assumed this was an issue of overheating (and yes I am getting a Tranny Cooler). But 2 days later when I started her up to go home the same problem happened. (The transmission fluid level was fine). Obviously not an overheating problem as the truck was cold. I went through the same process of starting in 4L - gear 1, and worked my way up to Drive. I was able to get back to Colorado. It's been 2 weeks and I have not had the problem happen since. In fact I really worked the tranny on my way to a wrench-a-thon yesterday and was unable to get it to happen again. I've talked to several Toyota techs and none have seen this problem.

One friend suggested maybe the torque converter, but beyond that I am at a loss. Could this be a similar problem? I will check the status of the fluid and see if it needs a change but it shouldn't as it was done fairly recently.

Thoughts? Thanks!

Ilovemountains

I changed my ATF about 2 years ago prior to doing a full 17 quart flush with Mobil 1, I think it didnt blend well with the other types I had used in the past, I know there was probably Toyota ATF and Quakerstate in the trans, I would pull out in 1st the it would shift into 2nd then if I slowed down for a speed bump it would not down shift back into 1st it would go into a false N, if I manually dropped it back into 1st it would catch, I drove it home and did a full flush and fill and havent had another problem till now and I think its a sensor, my OD is acting up.. Good luck!

Babypig

This sounds exactly like a shift solenoid. Very common. Pull the trouble codes and watch the O/D light instead of the check engine. I think you'll find a#1 shift solenoid at the root of it all.

MixedUp

Can you buy said Shift control solenoid in the aftermarket. I can't find them anywhere.

Babypig

i haven't been able to find them anywhere other than my trusty stealer. They ain't cheap either which is why pulling the code is such a good idea.

Lysmachia

Any other thoughts on a bad solenoid for my problem? At least that's all I am hoping it is... I still can't reproduce the problem but i know it is only a matter of time. A code isn't being thrown (Yet) but we'll see....

Babypig

There is a way to check the solenoids using a multimeter and finding the right pins on the ecu. I'll have to look for it. Mine did it for a while before it would throw a code.

Lysmachia

Yeah that's what I was told so I'll see what I can get done with Nic (aka) Blown4Runner.

Any specific code that was thrown?

Babypig

I have the files in a pdf format that i can send to you by e-mail if you send me your e-mail address. The code i pulled at the time was the #1 shift solenoid. I think it was a 61 or a 62, can't recall off the top of my head.

Lysmachia

I'll take those pdf files! molly(dot)houck(at)gmail(dot)com