saladbarkido

Hi everyone, I'm a newbie and this is my first post. I recently bought a 4runner for $3000 (except the $200 that had to be deducted from the price after it was towed by the police, long story, previous owners fault). Everything is stock, including the transmission oil, I think lol. So last week I changed the ATF and filter, using genuine ATF and filter from a local Toyota stealership. I'm a DIY kind of guy. The old ATF was a burgundy color with a hint of burnt. After I finished I turn it on and shifted through all the gears to get it flowing. The next day I was about to leave, the morning was very cold, I turn it on and almost immediately put it into reverse. It took a good 30 seconds before it shifted. This is happening every time the engine is cold (below 50 degrees F) WTF!! Did I do something wrong? All I did was; drain old ATF, dropped the pan, changed filter, and replaced pan gasket and added some RTV silicon sealant (very little). There is no leaking and shifts flawlessly throughout all gears while driving! ATF is right on the hot line while idling on drive (at normal engine temp).

To the point: Why does does it take a good 1/2 min to 1 min to shift into reverse when engine is cold?! When I put it into any forward gear it shifts instantly! Its driving me nuts (pun intended). Has anyone else had this problem? Maybe a solenoid?


Here are my specs:
1995 4runner 3.0L V6, NGK Iridium Spark Plugs
31" Bridgestone Dueler H/T on Stock 15" rims
4-speed Auto 2WD, 3.90 Gears

pruney81

You have a slipping shift solenoid I believe. If it was mine I probably would have done a drain and fill then maybe another one in a few weeks to clear it out. You might have dislodged some old gunk in the fluid from holding it together. What kind of fluid did you use and how many miles are on the tranny itself?

Maybe time for a 5 speed swap?

saladbarkido

I think you might be right about the solenoid. I used some Genuine Toyota ATF from the dealership. The back of the bottle said it complies with Dexron II and III. The truck has about 175,000 miles. The old ATF had a burgundy color. The tranny pan and magnets were clean of any metal except for maybe a couple of drops of a white-ish substance. I have been thinking about a 5-speed, more MPGs and a lot more fun to drive. Thanks for the reply!!

saladbarkido

OK so I'm about to replace all three solenoids. I bought some new solenoids. This will be the fourth time i will change the ATF in less than a year!! My tranny must love me. Hopefully this will clear my problem.