So yesterday I picked up my first automatic toyota, a 1993 sr5. It needs some love but drove it home 65 miles and it ran and shifted well. Today however, the first to second shift was violent. High rpm and the whole truck shakes with a big bang into second gear.
I haven't looked into it at all but does this symptom ring a bell to anyone? Where should I aim my diagnosis?
Thanks.

 

Likely causes...
-Second brake
-No 1 one way clutch
-Accumulator control valve
-B2 accumulator

Check that the throttle cable is properly adjusted, as this is the easiest thing to check. I would not think that this is your problem though, since it only shifts harsh going from 1-2.

 

Thanks,
Cables are adjusted properly.
Is there anything I can do about it without pulling the tranny? Not looking for a big project here.

 

Also when I put it into drive or reverse it engages really aggressively.

 

1St off... Hows the fluid? On the full mark when at normal temp, and red-ish?

Does it do it just when cold? Or at normal operating temp as well?... All the time, or just the 1st couple shifts into 2nd?

If it only does it when cold, or cool... I wouldnt worry too much, mine has done that for well over 150k miles, just let it warm up before driving.

Otherwise, I'd drain fluid, drop the pan and check the screen, clean it, and refill.

Also... How are the motor and tranny mounts? Any play in the ujoints? Play in the rear diff?

 

Thanks for the reply. The trans fluid doesn't look great but it's full.
I'm not sure if it does it when it's warm, I didn't get more than a few miles. Its pretty bad.
Ujoints and mounts are good. Also as it's winding up and suspense builds waiting for second gear to slam in, as soon as I let off the gas it will shift or I can wait for it. I'll change fluid tomorrow and report back.

 

Let it get fully warm before driving, and try it again... I bet that helps a lot.Like I said... Mine has done that for well over 150k miles, but once warm, it shifts fine.

 

So the trans pan drain plug just spins. I removed the tcase plug and ran the engine for a few seconds and got at least 5-6 quarts out of it. Refilled it and.....still bangs into gear. Drats. However, you were right. Once it warmed up a bit, it got much smoother. What causes this?

 

mine does the same thought it was my locker binding the teeth on the diff.but the teeth are intact tho. my next idea would be trans and tcase mounts but im currently sasing mine so haven't really checked into it since I haven't drove it since winter.i can anticipate when its going to happen it feels like ur neutral dropping it. u find ur issue? do u currently have a locked rear