Dirtoy4x4

Greetings,
I'm chasing down an issue that I'm hoping others with 3rd Gen 4Runner automatics might help me identify. When manually shifting via the gear selector "PRND2L" If I put the truck in "L" at a stop light and start to accelerate. I expect the truck to stay in low and NOT shift into 2nd until bump up the shifter to "2". What is happening is the truck will start in 1st, accelerate, and shift to 2nd like normal and then hold in second until bumping the shifter into D. Basically the same as if the gear selector is in "2". Wondering if this is normal or if there is something awry somewhere? I noticed it when playing in the snow this past weekend, put it in 4L and L, and it kept shifting to 2nd on me.

Truck is a 94 pickup with a 3.4 / A340F swap so I'm not sure what normal is. 99 ECU and transmission. Appreciate the help!

Dirtoy4x4

I checked the neutral safety switch and cleaned it up, The switch seems to be working fine. Truck still performs the 1-> 2 shift when accelerating in "L" low. Would anyone with a 3rd Gen auto 4Runner be able to help me out? I just need someone to put the shifter in "L" accelerate from a stop and see if yours shifts from 1-> 2 or stays in first gear.

Marc

I just verified that when I put mine in L it won't shift out of L.
The manual says that as well.

Dirtoy4x4

Thanks so much Marc. I downloaded the manual for the 2k 4Runner and looked through it but it didn't seem to cover my exact issue. The odd thing is it will compression brake and downshift according to the shift schedule in when shifted in to low while moving. I'm going to take another look at the linkage before digging into the wiring.

Really appreciate the help!

Marc

Good luck!

skypilot

iTrader: (1)

Any chance it was modded at some point?

fierohink

I too can verify that L holds first gear, and first gear only.

If it isn't modded, is it possible your shift linkage is worn to where it is indicating L but is really in 2?

Dirtoy4x4

Appreciate all the help all. I tore the linkage apart again this morning and adjusted the linkage with the shifter in L and the trans in L. Once done, I was no longer able to shift into park. It looks like the throw of the shifter is just a bit short for the transmission, the solution (i'm hoping) will be shortening the pivot arm from the transmission to get more travel on the transmission side. I'm brushing up on my geometry to determine the length the pivot bar needs to be. :-) I'm not even sure what you call the part, looking to find one to purchase as a spare.

Normally this would be no problem but as skypilot alluded, the shift linkage is custom. I'm using the 89/95 A340F shifter for the 22re, with the 2000 4Runner A340F. The shifter is rare and was difficult to source, but was used because it fits the console perfectly since its OEM for the year (truck is a 94). The later model shifters work, but require mods to the interior that I specifically wanted to avoid. Its been like this for a few years, I never noticed before, as I rarely us Low, PRND, all work fine.