Galen

I have a 2002 4Runner 4WD automatic with 93K. I had a few issues a number of months ago where the VSC lights would come on & the VSC would not work. Took it to the dealer, they did diagnostics & said that it had something to do with the throttle gauge going bad. Want $1600 w/install for it.

Today, I drove it about 100 miles for work, got home, went to the gym for an hour & left. Got into the truck & then, uh, I could not move. The engine was on, popped the hood everything seemed to be fine. Could not go forward or reverse. When I would move the lever from Reverse or Drive to Park there was a "whirrrrring" sound like something was being wound up/down... after I heard that I only moved it from Reverse or Drive to neutral then to Park (no sound then).

Was able to press my 4WD & that engaged w/o incident. Tried going forward or reverse *numerous* times. So, I popped it into my Low setting - still nothing. I tried it again then pushed it into reverse, then it worked. I drove straight home. Turned off the vehicle in my garage, turned it back on & it works.

I did not do something weird or strange or anything like that when I parked initially. This has never happened before. It is not even all that cold in MI today. I am baffled. Any & ALL help/advice appreciated!

edzo

gremlins


leave some food out for them. and when they go for it, throw a box
over them

Galen

Yes, Gremlins of course. Thank you for the informative discourse. Wish Gizmo would just learn his lesson.

SEAIRESCUE

Stay away from the stinking dealer. Go to a transmission shop. My guess is a sticking valve body, dirty fluid filter, low fluid level, intermittent electrical connection to the transmission, broken kick down cable, faulty computer for the transmission, failing pump all which a good shop can determine. I highly suggest you visit more than one if it will get you there. Check with the BBB before you pick a shop. A good mechanic will start with the cheap fixes and work his way up to a complete overhaul which I don't think you are there.

edzo

on a toyota 4runner here is what it can be, fo real, yo.

in order of likelihood...

1-throttle cable
2-transmission control rod
3-manual valve
4-primary regulator valve
5-parking lock pawl

or these below
[can only be checked/repaired when transmission is off vehicle]

6-one way clutch
7-o/d direct clutch
8-o/d brake
9-o/d planetary gear unit
10-torque converter clutch

as you see, it can be a few things. transmissions have DTC codes too
so get a scanner and check for what may be stored in the ECU

these are just a few codes that have something
to do with transmission function.

p0500-speed sensor
p0710-atf temp sensor
p0750, 55-a/b solenoid
p0753, 58-a/b solenoid
p0770-solenoid e
p0773-solenoid e
p1520-stop light switch signal to atf for when ya slam on the brakes for fluffy
p1700-speed sensor 2
p1780-park/neutral switch


as I said...gremlins

and now for the fun stuff. all the above can happen without VSC

you can disable VSC entirely and that will tell you if it is the VSC
or something else.