Hello YotaTech, I come to you seeking guidance and advice.

I just bought a 1995 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6.

I bought it knowing:

the speedo was broken

There was a clicking that increased with the revs, coming from the driver side, and I figured it would be a misaligned valve or rocker arm.

Car ran solid and was incredibly clean ; a steal for 2500 bucks, I thought.

Yesterday, after driving it around for 2 days with no issues, I registered it and on my way home the 'O/D Off' light flashed. Somebody on here mentioned it might be a solenoid on the T-Case.

I drained the oil last night, and filled it back this morning with an additive (to see if it would help with the valve clicking), and after running it for 5 monutes, got in to leave for work and shifted into drive. Buuut, it would not actually shift. I tried to put it into 4High, and reverse, and neither of those worked. I got my wife to take me to work now, but I am wondering if this could be the solenoid, or if it's an issue with the transmission that is going to cost me some serious cheddar. Any tips would be awesome. I ordered a Chilton a few days ago, so it should be here soon, but I need to get this girl running stat. Thanks.

 

Some people like the Chiltons. No, I take that back. No one likes the Chiltons. (The Haynes isn't too bad.)

That is, unless you can get the actual manual. http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...31diagnosi.pdf Your transmission is talking to you, you should listen. Yeah, "it might be a solenoid on the T-Case," but why guess?

 

I just diagnosed the code following the steps you gave me. Code 42. Did a lot of reading on here. VSS1 sounds the most probable, because neither the odometer or speedometer are working. In sure the Cruise Control isn't working either, but I never attempted to use it. The only thing stumping me is why it won't drive when shifted into drive in any range. Do all these symptoms come from the failed sensor?

I'm going to look for the VSS1, to see if I can test it with my meter. Should be electric on a 95, right? Also, I've seen a photo with it located on the transfer case on the driver side, but have read it's on the passenger side. Am I not understanding something?

 

So, in my search to remove the VSS1, I managed to destroy this, which I don't think is the VSS1. Is it some kind of tranny-temp gague? And, if anyone has any pointers as to where the VSS1 REALLY is, I would be eternally grateful.

 

I don't know much about '95s, and I'm not too good with "up-close-and-personal" photos anyway. But I think you broke off VSS2. VSS2 is in the transmission, VSS1 is in the transfer case (because you want the speedometer to read correctly whether in 4-Hi or 4-Lo).

This page is for an A340H. Your transmission is listed on the door pillar.

Once you find your transmission, do the Manual Shifting Test. http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...autotrans.html I don't think a failure of VSS1 will cause it to not go into gear at all.

 

Considering this happened immediately after draining the oil and refilling it do you think it's possible you didn't refill it properly?

 

I don't think so. I removed the oil pan drain screw, drained the oil, replaced the screw, filled her up with the recommended amount, and started her up.

 

Have you checked the level on the auto trans dipstick while running?
Might want to check the engine crankcase level while you're at it (not running).

 

I would definitely check the fluid level. Automatic transmissions generally insist on being very nearly full before they will work at all. I remember many years ago a friend had an almost brand new Ford Torino which suddenly stopped shifting into gear and wouldn't move an inch. Turns out it was 1 qt low out of about 10 qts total of tranny fluid. Topped it off and it worked fine.

Transmissions take different amounts depending on whether you drained the torque converter or not. There'll usually be two numbers in the manual for refill capacity. With inadequate fluid level, the torque converter won't transmit any power.

 

Thank you for the advice. I will double check all my fluids.

 

Alright guys, much to my embarrassment, I drained the tranny fluid (which came out looking like dirty oil), added more oil to the engine (over filling it), and leaving the tranny dry. Pretty funney, eh?

No I have to research how to replace a valve lifter, which is where my engineering es ticking is coming from. And the loss of speedo/odo.

Thanks for the help guys. Sorry to act a fool!

 

Glad you got that problem sorted out.

 

Well, we all make mistakes. Assuming you put transmission fluid into the engine, I would waste no time in completely draining it and changing the filter as well. Transmission fluid won't damage an engine just by being in there while the engine is not running, but it's not an adequate or appropriate lubricant for engine operation.