This has happened to me a few times now. I have a 93 4Runner 3.0 with auto. When I shift into reverse or drive it feels like the tranny is slipping. Sometimes the motor will rev and do nothing. Sometimes it grabs a little but it feels like it's stuck in two gears or something. It will move a little then feels like it’s dragging the rear end. I changed my fluid and check the level. Didn't do it for about 2 weeks. It did it again to me today. What would cause this intermittent problem and more importantly what is it?

My guess is something stuck in the valve body. But I don't know anything about automatics.

 

Does it slip in all forward gears, or just 1st?

If it is slipping in all forward gears, as well as reverse, it could be the Torque Coverter Clutch, bad Oil Pump causing low line pressure, a bad O/D One Way Clutch, or a faulty Primary Regulator Valve.

 

Yes it slips in every gear. The weird thing is sometimes if I shut it off and restart it, it works perfect. The main thing that worries me is that it feels like it's in 2 gears. When it does move as soon as you let off the gas it drags to a stop. And no it’s not my brakes hanging up, if you put it in neutral it rolls just fine.

 

I still baffled. After topping off my tranny fluid just to make sure, I got my 4Runner to drive perfect yesterday. Drove it around. Got it to go thru all the gears. Shifted thru 2Hi, 4Hi and 4Lo just fine. Went out this morning, started it up, put it in gear and nothing. Just revs with very little grab. It rolls in the direction of the gear, but that's it. What would explain this intermittent problem?