I just bought a 1990 deluxe 4x4, with a 22re engine and Automatic tranny. I am hoping someone could help me diagnose it. It idles great and when I give it gas in park, it accelerates good with good response. When I put it in gear it doesn't want to move especially when its cold. After it warms up it will be going down the road (with very little power) then all of a sudden it has power for a few seconds. On the highway it will shift up and down every few seconds in and out of overdrive. and in town it doesn't accelorate like it is supposed to. It just feels like there is no power. I havent run any test on anything yet and am really unsure where to start. I usually do all my own auto repairs but this is my first toyota and I have never run accross this problem before. I am not sure what other information to give but if someone could help and steer me in theright direction......

 

An automatic behind a 22RE doesn`t make alot of power, but from what your saying it sounds like there is a problem with the transmission, it sounds like it might be slipping when its in drive. You would probably need to have a tranmission shop look at it, or you could swap in a 5 speed transmission.

 

How does the tranny fluid look? Dark, burnt? Is it low?

 

The tranny Fluid was low when I bought it but I put a quart in and it was reading fine after several minutes of continuous Idle (while already warmed up)

 

I am Scheduling an appointment with the local Dealer to have them look at it.

 

ok THE DEALER IS NO GOOD!!! TOOK MY MONEY, DROVE IT AOUND THE, BLOCK AND TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS BAD... DUMB@$$'$... ok, that being said, I have figured out the tranny is good. I have run a compression test and got a perfect 170 on all 4 cylinders. the plugs and wires were new whenI bought it but th ecap and rotor were bad.. replaced those, .. replaced egr valve, and ran some MAF cleaner through the "map sensor" thing (I am not sure what toyota calls thiers...) drives a little better but has the same issue.. no power then short burst of power then no power.... it seems like it will keep power as long as I dont move my foot, as soon as I back out of it (because all of a sudden I am flying up on someones a$$) it is back to no power... alomost have to floor it to get it to go anywhere... wont hold a speed on any incline... just cant figure it out.... fuel pressure???? sticky valves??? the engine sounds real good, just has no power!!!!

 

See if there are any codes stored in the ECU:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...CheckConnector

Test the Air Flow Meter and Throttle Position Sensor:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/AFM/index.shtml
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/TPS/index.shtml

Check for vacuum leaks and grab a Factory Service Manual and run through the engine troubleshooting sections.