Not sure what's going on with this truck. I have to manually shift it most of the time and when I do it skips second and goes straight into third. It is a 87 22re with a a340? I have done absolutely EVERYTHING. I started with the basics, fluid change, filter, new shift sensors. That cleared up my problems for about a week or so. Then the symptoms came back. So I thought maybe my transmission had worn out after 320,000ish miles. Swapped a transmission out of another runner I had along with a new torque converter, that was shifting fine BEFORE the swap. Symptoms stopped for a week or so again, now they are back. There has got to be something I am missing? I'm about ready to give up on the thing.

 

im not sure about these trannies cause i havent had to mess with mine (thankfully) yet, but i worked on a honda crv one time and my dads old chevy and they both had a problem similar and it was a vaccum hose..

 

Toyota transmissions are electronically controlled by a TCM, that is most likely your problem.

 

All 3 solenoids 224$

Rail shifter

 

Check the wiring for the TCM, sounds like loose wires. Dirty corroded connectors, something like that since it works some of the time and you have no slipping. And yes in limp mode as in no TCM you have 1st, 3rd and 4th using the floor shifter.

 

transmission shift cable maybe? i had that my 90 4runner

 

The transmission cable doesn't control shifting, it only controls line pressure, which determines how "hard" the shifts feel. If ECT computer isn't working, the transmission will manually shift 1-3-OD in the L-2-D positions on the shifter. This is a safety measure so you can still drive home if your electronics crap out, it's listed in the FSM, and I believe the owners manual as well. Sounds like the transmission computer isn't doing anything.

 

Yeah I realized I said Shift sensor's now instead of solenoids, but they have all been replaced. I also just replaced the ECT and it is still doing the same thing. The wiring and all connectors seem to be good also...