I have searched this forum high and low, as well as many others and cannot seem to find anyone with a similar problem.
I have a 2001 SR5, 3.4l v6, automatic transmission with 4wd. When I shift in to reserve, the transmission will not engage, no matter how long I wait BUT, if I rev the engine slowly to about 5k rpm, reverse will engage, somewhat violently, then behave normally. Once I shift out of reverse, either in to park or drive, if I want to reverse again, I have to start the procedure over.
I do not have a check engine light on, and the transmission fluid is full.
after some reading, I am planning to replace the transmission filter, and test the solenoids, but I am curious to hear what you guys think, in case there is more I can look for once I drop the pan.
thanks for the help!!

 

If you keep forcing the tranny to engage Reverse by winding the engine up to 5,000 rpm, you’ll probably kill it in short order...



Andreas

 

I figured this much was assumed. To clarify, the truck isn’t being driven often while I try to figure this out, and when it is, I avoid reverse at all costs.

 

Thats better.

FWIW, I purchased my ‘01 new and have flushed the transmission fluid at every 100,000 miles (using a fluid exchange machine).
Earlier this year I decided to replace my transmission filter for the first time (at around 450,000 miles). Apart from normal-looking sludge in the bottom of the pan, and some mild paste on the magnets, I saw nothing alarming. The screen did have some accumulation right under the inlet port, but that was the extent of it.
So I installed a new Toyota filter, slightly tightened all visible bolts, and then resealed using Toyota FIPG. The pan has stayed bone dry and the truck continues to shift like it always has.



Andreas

 

Does selecting the ECT button change how the transmission engages at all? That “should” take the line pressure requirement out of the solenoids activating.

 

I just have that a try and it didn’t seem to make a difference.

It only has 175,000 miles, and everything else is running strong. I’m planning to try a new filter and flushing the transmission, hoping that will do the trick. That seems to be the case with a lot of these issues of reverse not engaging, that or the solenoid. I just want to cover my bases before I dive in to the work.

NOTE: check engine light just popped on, will run the code this weekend and update the thread

 

Just checked the CEL, and got p0770 shift solenoid e. I think this just confirms my concerns with the solenoid. Does anyone have experience with this? Do I need oem solenoids or will one of these $50 kits off of eBay do the trick?
I also decided to roam around in 4wd just to keep things lubed up and noticed the occasional delay when when accelerating from a stop. This has never happened in 2wd, and was very inconsistent in 4wd. Could this be a symptom of the solenoid issue too?

 

Shift solenoid e controls the lock up torque converter, so I’m not sure how much that would impact reverse.

 

This weekend I went in and replaced the transmission filter and fluid, hoping for a miracle and ended up losing reverse completely. I’m tempted to still try the solenoid fix with a cheap eBay kit just to give it a desperate effort before going to the tranny shop.
When I drained the fluid it was a very dark red, much thicker consistency than new atf. The pan had about an 1/8th inch of black sludge in the bottom. No large metal shavings that I could see, but it’s quite possible they were lost in the sludge if present.
any advice/tricks before I start pinching pennies and looking at replacing/rebuilding the trans?

 

Can we get a video of you revving the truck to 5k so we can get a general idea as to what happens when the solenoids finally unlock the torque converter?

 

after the fluid and filter replacement I couldn’t get it to pop in to reverse at all. I only drove it around the block, but I’m going to give it another shot today after work. I’ll take a video and post if it works

 

Sweet. Make sure there's no one and nothing around when you do it. I wouldn't want you to run anyone/anything over.

 

no reverse at all now, no matter the rpms

 

Is it at all possible that this is a solenoid issue? Or should I start doing my research about a trans rebuild or replacement?

 

Ok, new development. Checked the trans level after the filter and fluid change and I was a bit low. Added a quart and now have reverse back when the engine is revved to 5k rpm. Attached a video hoping that may shed some light
EDIT: I can't seem to attach the video to the forum