Derick5059

Hey everyone, like the title says, I just bought my first 4runner over the weekend. 1987 SR5, automatic transmission. I've been looking at them for a couple years, and the timing and location was right to pull the trigger and take a chance on one.

The guy I bought it from gave me all sorts of conflicting info about he transmission issues, brake lights, etc etc etc. Seemed like his story kept changing, but he did mention that he had towed it on a 2 wheel dolly at one point so that could have caused some problems. Also mentioned some overdrive issues and things, but he was very unclear about the problems - I don't think he knew what was going on to clearly explain anything to me.

Here's what I know to be happening right now: I can engage the transmission in Low and Reverse and it drives fine. 4x4 works fine. When selecting 2nd, it just revs but wont grab. Same for Drive - just revs. I checked the transmission fluid and its dark brown, and was also filled a good 1/2" above the top of the hot fill range - on a 10 degree day without running.

Questions are:

Can this inability of the transmission to engage anything but Low and Reverse be caused by too much tranny fluid?

Can anyone explain the shift solenoids to me? I've seen a lot about them, but have not come across anything identifying which solenoids control which gears, or if that is even how they function?


Thanks for any help you all can give and I'm looking forward to learning a hell of a lot more about the Runners than I know now!