the auto on my 89 4runner is starting to slip really bad, it hardly moves in first. It was cold when I was driving it but I dont think it would matter that much. The 4 low quit working a while ago too.

I was wondering if it could be the torque converter or is it the clutches? It doesnt make any grinding noises or bad noises at all, just revs and moves really slow, like a bad clutch on a manual.

I know its time for a manual swap but I want to hold off as long as possible. Im going to dump some lucas in it tomorrow and see if that helps. Its just my trail truck not my DD.

 

When you say slipping, do you means the engine rpm races out of control when in gear?

 

how old is the fluid?

 

I have a simular issue with my 87 AT, but it only happens once in a while. I'm not sure why. After it warms up it shifts fine how about yours?

 

check the trans fluid level?
and careful with the lucas- it's thick and too much can hurt the trans.

 

yes, if I give it more than about 1/8th throttle then the rpms just climb with no increase in speed. about 1/8th throttle and it will slowly catch then speed up, but even when its moving along at 20 or 30 if I press more on the gas itll just slip more.
im not sure how old the fluid is, maybe origional for all I know. If the transmission is original it has 250k on it.

edit: is there anything I can do thatll make it shift harder into gear and not try to shift smooth (burning the clutches) ? are there any external adjusters on the transmission?

 

check the fluid is it dark and does it smell burnt? it should be bright red

 

change the fluid first. If you've never done it, DO IT, and make sure it's properly filled with the right type fluid.

Here's an analogy:
"I'm trying to BBQ some steaks, but I took them out of the freezer and started cooking them and they smelled funny. What's wrong with my BBQ grill?"
Until you try different steaks, you don't know if anything is wrong with the grill....

 

edit... oops.

 

i always thought that would be worse for an automatic because the clutches break down in the fluid and they need the grit? yes, it is dark though

 

when you change it take your time and clean the pan really good and be sure to replace the filter dont just drain the fluid if your filter has a black flim all over it and the magnets in the pan have some weird gooky stuff on them then that would mean your clutch packs are more than likely gone

 

you dont want grit that will break down the clutches faster just do not voer fill your trans with lucas its not good for it( its not good for any type of trans toyota or not)

 

when the fluid breaks down, the ability of the fluid to carry contaminants away diminishes, leaving grit in the clutches.
grit wears things out.
would you want pieces of metal sticking around your crank or rod bearings?
would you want dust on a stick-shift's clutch plate?

so, think about it.

 

thats just what ive always heard, and it happened to me once. I changed the tranny fluid on my moms taurus when it wasnt shifting good, the transmission failed about a month later.

anyways ill drop the pan this weekend when I have time and change the fluid if its worth it i guess. i think its probably shot though at this point, i was beating on it pretty hard offroad, neutral dropping and all...

 

Back to one of your other questions, yes there is an external control that adjusts how hard the clutches are held. It's called the kick-down cable, and it runs to the throttle body. Bu tightening the cable up, you increase the line pressure within the transmission, causing it to hold the clutches harder. You'll get some fun neck-snapping shifts if you crank it right up.