Hi All!

I have a 1990 Toy 4Rnr - V6/4WD/AT. I'm not sure what's going on with my SUV, but here's what its doing. Any ideas/suggestions what to do would be great!

Occasionally (more often lately) I'll be driving along (at any speed) and my "O/D OFF" light will start flashing. All the while my truck is driving fine.

And then (it doesn't matter whether my truck is cold or warm!) I will also on occasion have to start in 1st gear (this is an automatic truck!) otherwise if I try and take off in 'Drive' it goes but not like it should, almost like it's being sluggish?! But, if I go from 1st to 2nd, and then to Drive, it is fine.??!! Somebody, please help. Would a transmission flush help this?

Thanks!

Kelly

 

Does your speedo work? O/D can flash if the cable is broken. Any check engine codes? Could also be a speed sensor failing. I'm having speedo problems now, and in my searching I came across others with the same symptoms as yours that were speed sensor related. My o/d light is flashing right now as well (but my speedo doesn't work).

 

No, my speedo works fine.

 

A transmission flush probably won't do much, and with an older vehicle may actually do more harm. A flashing O/D OFF light means the transmission computer has stored trouble codes. It's like the CHECK ENGINE light, only for the tranny. To get the codes you have to jumper terminals TE1 and E1 in the diagnostic connector, turn the key to IGN and count the flashes.

From the systems you described, having to shift to 1st to start, sluggish when starting off in Drive it sounds like a solenoid problem. If the #1 solenoid isn't working the transmission will be in 3rd all the time when the selector is in Drive. You can get around this problem by shifting manually.

I can email you the transmission sections from the factory manual if you want to look up the trouble codes.

 

Yes, that would be greatly appreciated. My 4runner also does not show any other engine warning lights, etc. And it has just over 168,000 miles on it. If any of that helps.

Thank You

 

Send me your email address to 'ericorst at telus dot net' and I'll send it when I get home tonight.

 

Hi Guyz ! Help I too have a '90 V6 A/T 4Runner .270,000kms . O/D flashing , starts in 3rd , works great manuallyshifting through the gears . Popped in a different ECM , changed the tranny filter kit & fluid ......NOTHING is working ????
Help ????

 

Get the codes.
Why would change what you did (ECM) without having a clue what's wrong ?

Pull the codes and see what's going on.
The starting in 3rd gear is when the tranny is in "fail safe" mode.

Guess I'm just really baffled as to why you thought the ECM was bad ?


Fred

 

You both have a shift solenoid that is not functioning. They are a common problem. Fairly easy to fix, just a little spendy for the part.

 

I was amazed at how much better my transmission shifted after i flushed it. not just changed but flushed. its crisp and constant again.

 

Do you know how to change do solenoid?