godfearer22005

Hello!

New owner of a 1999 4Runner 4WD 5VZ-FE. On a hot day I was driving through some stoplights when suddenly I lost ALMOST all my power (but not all) to the wheels. After turning the car off and starting again I recovered a little more power but still much decreased and arrived at my destination. 4 hours later started it up, much improved, but barely made it home as each time I went up a hill I started slipping until no power was being transmitted to the wheels.

Idling/Reving without any difficulty. Engine Light was on prior but codes still read only an O2 sensor/"too lean" code.

Brown Transmission fluid well over "full" marks on the transmission dipstick, normal appearing coolant (No "strawberry milkshake").

I tried switching into reverse, low gear, 4H, 4L, 2H everything and it made no difference.

I sure would appreciate it if someone could tell me where to start. Could this be a solenoid?

vasinvictor

iTrader: (3)

The thing all forward and reverse gears this has in common in the torque converter. I don't have any testing procedures, but might help in your seaching.

millball

Also hydraulic pump/pressure

ThorInc

Can you re-confirm that the transmission oil is beyond the full mark? if so, by how much?

ZUK

iTrader: (1)

Brown is not normal....or good. Verify that you are really checking the auto tranny dip stick. I believe the procedure is check it in PARK with it warmed up and engine idling.

Brown means the fluid is burnt. Change it out with new pink fluid. Might require 2 or 3 changes to get the brown out. Maybe a full flush at the Lube Pit or one of those type places is a good idea.

Then get an external tranny cooler

Could a clogged fuel filter cause your issue with power?

Janos01

If you transmission fluid is brown, It needs to be changed filter and all. Also how many miles are on it and has it had regular service in its life?

godfearer22005

Thank you everyone for the advice.

I will read more about Torque Converter and Hydraulic Pump.

I am checking the right dipstick and yes it is about 3 inches above the upper limit of the "hot" marks after starting the engine at idle in park.

I'd be interested to know if a clogged filter could be causing these symptoms.

It has 267k and while I'd like to say it has gotten regular maintenance...I just bought it and I really can't say for sure. FWIW I know the timing belt got changed at 200k so I think it has gotten some maintenance.

I feel pretty confident its not a solenoid. I'd like to drain and fill the transmission but given the severity of the symptoms I'd like a more substantive repair.

Janos01

For the amount of mileage you specified, are the gears slipping or shifting rough? If so, I would drive it till the transmission dies. You can change the fluid, however, if it hasn't had regular service (flushed every 30K or 40K) changing the fluid could kill it.

vasinvictor

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, that's WAY too much fluid! Drain and fill it a couple/few times. Overfilled trans can do some really weird things. Foaming fluid comes to mind, and you can imaging it won't run well with foam in the tranny. There is no filter in the a340, there's only a mesh screen thing to catch particles, so don't worry about pulling the pan just yet.

sharrack

Just purchased? Possible trans failure? 267,000 miles?
Damn!!!