tranny overheating?
 

hey all, i had a light on the dash come on saying hi temp tranny oil. i had been in drive and climing at low speed for a while. it does not come on if i manually shift to 1st and leave it, only in drive. tranny slipping? 95 4runner,stock, 3.0 auto tranny. thanks

Did it seem to be slipping? How was the coolant temp?

If the light came on maybe there is a code stored in the computer, although it may only be a code for the transmission temp sensor out of range. Do a search for code retrieval or a related term maybe code jumper.

Check the condition of the fluid and level. Smell it, if it smells burnt drain and replace it and or run a hose off the return line at the radiator and have a friend sit in the truck to crank and turn it off. Have another friend continually pour in fluid while the truck is idling and stop and top off when the fluid starts running clear.

By pass the cooler in the radiator completely by adding an aftermarket transmission oil cooler.

OR piggyback the aftermarket along with the cooler in the radiator. I mean why not? If our going to cool it, let it cool twice, just make sure direction of flow, and put the aftermarket AFTER the stock one. Hayden is the way to go on the Aftermarket tranny coolers by the way.

thank for your input
 

i changed the tranny fluid shortly before the overheating happened. i dont know if it did it prior to that because i changed all fluids when i bought it. the coolant temp was fine and it didnt seem like it was slipping. where should i go for a after market cooler? i am new to the toyota scene and havent bought any parts yet. also was wondering how big of a tire can i go without a lift? my 95 now has stock 31-10.50s. i just dont want a bunch of rubbing. thanks again!!

Go to NAPA or any other parts house and ask for a Hayden transmission cooler. Medium size should fit but they can look it up and tell you. I would only get a Hayden cooler, nothing else.

This is a great cooler too: http://www.importperformancetrans.com/coolers.shtml

I would change your fluid since your light came on, heat will destroy ATF, and from what I have found the stock light comes on at a very very high temperature.

If the condition you were driving in is common I would also think about the extra cooler, but more importantly a tranny temp gauge.