My 85 Runner shifts from 1 to 4 bypassing 2 and 3. Occasionally it will operate perfectly from a couple of minutes to as long as one hour. Any ideas? Also, when it is operating correctly, overdrive works, otherwise it does not. Thanx, Gary

 

That sounds like a bad problem. I'm not a transmission guy or anything, but I do believe you only have a 4-speed tranny with the overdrive gear being the 4th gear. So maybe it's just skipping 2nd because if it is skipping 2nd and 3rd and the OD gear doesn't work that only leaves you with 1st gear. What does it do when you manually shift it through the gears? I assume you have checked the ATF level and it looks good.

 

It could also be a speed sensor, my 90 has a similar problem. I have to manually change from L-2-D, but once I am in D, the trans will shift on its own back and forth from D to OD, and I was told it was one of 4 speed sensors, maybe yours is a similar problem?

 

Is there a shift solenoid on 4runers?
That happened to my buddy's Dodge.

 

I know, this seems overly obvious but.....

Hows your fluid level ?

 

If the fluid level is fine try pulling the trouble code. Same as getting the trouble code for the engine just watch the O/D light instead. I'm betting that it's a shift soleniod as well. There are up to five of them on the A340h trans. Pull the code and go from there.

 

That's the A-340 tranny? Could very well be the number 2 shift solenoid...You should be getting i believe a code 62 or 63...62 is the number one and 63 is a number 2 but don't quote me on those codes as it's been a few months since i had mine rebuilt.

 

Thanx folks........I'll use your info and see what I can do with the beast.

 

You can get the code by watching the O/D light flash? I notice mine flashes every now and then while driving down the road... HMMMMMM.....

 

Like everyone else check the shift solenoid, autozone could do it for you but also how long since the fluid has been changed, if it is changed pretty regular then no problem but if it's original the trans could be on the way out and if it was pretty dirty, high mileage and was changed the new fluid has a super slippery quality that is loaded with detergent and that is loosening up the dirt that has built up over time and thats getting stuck in the valve body or your clutches are slipping.

Auto trans are complicated and expensive, I've seen transmissions with 150k running on the original fluid working perfectly fine but the owner changed the fluid and the thing starts missing and slipping and he eventually looking for a new trans.

Another thing is if it is your shift solenoid, I've seen shops replace them and charge 200 bucks for a 5 minute 10 dollar part.

 

Yeah I'm glad mine were done for free under warranty on the new trans.

Actually the parts go for $185 a piece )needing two to do the job correctly) through my local dealer. When I was looking though I did find a guy offering to rebuild them in Tx. on ebay...Supposedly you were supposed to send him the core and he'd rebuild it...he wasn't much cheaper than the dealer as i remember...his offer was $100 I think.

 

I know this is kind of off topic, but how hard would it be to go from an auto 4wd setup to 5 spd 4 wd setup?