Hi, I just bought a 93 3.0 auto 4wd 4runner from my dad. It has been babied its whole life and is in great condition. I am going through it giving it a overall tune up, timing belt, all fluids, belts, wires, plugs, ect.

I have recently had a problem with the trans. While cruising it will suddenly just free rev. Once you slow down it will grab and let you move again, but it is stuck in 1st gear and will not shift up. Normally, moving it to park, back and forth, from 2wd to 4wd, or even just turning it off, and then restarting it fixes the problem. It will drive just fine and shift completely normal for a few days until it acts up again. There seems to be no consisitant way to fix it other than to fiddle with the shifter and turn it off and on. There are no check engine lights, or other warning lights.

I am figuring that it is some sort of electrical problem based on the fact on how random it is. When its not acting up the car drives PERFECT.

Other info: 2 days before it starting doing all this, I had the a/c worked on. they had to remove the radiator, which means draining the trans fluid. The old fluid was not all nasty, but did need to be changed soon.

My background is more with sports cars and manual trans, so I really dont know where to even start, other than posting here!

Thanks guys.

 

maybe im missing something here, why would you have to drain the tranny fluid to remove the rad? they should be two separate systems. i understand you changed out the tranny fluid but you shouldnt need to drain it to remove the rad.

lee

 

For the archives. I found the problem. From the factory service manual:

" In the event of a simultaneous malfunction of both no.1 and no.2 speed sensors, no diagnostic code will appear and the fail-safe system will not function. However, when driving in the D range, the transmission will not up-shift from first gear, regardless of vehicle speed."

Sounds like my no.1 sensor has been dead for quite some time (no speedo for the last 2 years or so), and my no.2 is on the fritz.

 

ok, i learned something new today! i took out a 3.0/tranny combo from the old 89 last summer but wasnt the person disconnecting things and didnt get to see that part. i can see those hoses hanging off the front of the motor as it sits in the garage on the stand. now i know what they are for!

thanks for the schoolin'!

lee