I have a 99 4runner and while driving there are no problems. Where I'm having trouble with the trans is when I go from P to D, you can sort of feel the vehicle go forward but then its like it locks up and you have to bring the RPMs up to "break through" and then it shifts fine at lights etc from a stop. If I have the problem and shift to N then back to D it does not do this. Any thoughts would be great.

 

how is your fluid level?

 

just had everything replaced and part of the service was to check/adjust linkage

 

Take it back to wherever it was serviced, they must fix it for free.

 

I reiterate...CHECK you fluid level. Just because a shop did something, doesn't mean they did it right. see "Jiffy Lube"

 

OK double checked and the fluid levels are good. It was doing this before the service and thought by having it done the problem might go away. It does not happen every time you go from P to D. I guess Ill have to take it to a transmission shop and let them take a look at it?

 

sounds like the linkage is not adjusted properly

 

Yeup... I had very much the same symptoms after swapping my tranny.


Before you do that...

Can you please fill in the "location" in your profile? If folks know where you are, maybe someone can stop by and show you the linkage they're talking about.

 

I've got the same problem, is their a writeup or pics of where the linkage is at? Do I have to take my tranny pan off to get to it?

 

Nope, it's painfully easy to deal with.


Here's a quick pic from my phone...



Put the tranny in PARK then grab a 12mm socket and get under the truck from the driver's side. You're heading for the nut at the right of the picture. Loosen it up and you'll find that the linkage will tend to seek a natural resting spot. Tighten the nut and you're done.

Go for a test drive and things should be better.

 

awesome, thanks!

 

n/p. Be sure to let us know if that doesn't fix you up.


A couple of after-thoughts:

• If that bolt's never been loosened, then you may have to hit it with some PB Blaster.
  
  
• The linkage isn't reinforced, so don't put too much torque on the nut without supporting the linkage - it could bend.
  
  
• If the linkage doesn't just fall into place naturally, give it a slight push back and forth to settle it. Don't push too hard, you can pop the truck out of park which could let it roll. That'd be bad with you under there.

 

Good thread.... my 2000 4Runner has done this a couple of times recently. I put it in drive, and it's almost as if it has a stuck brake or something. Give it some gas and it "pops" free. Needless to say I don't like it one bit. I'll give this linkage thing a try.

Those who have tried the linkage, did it help you out?

 

It did for me... My symptom was that the shift indicator showed DRIVE, and I'd be cruising along and POP! it'd slip up into neutral.

I think it took me longer to get my sockets out than to fix it.

 

Yours may indeed be a brake sticking - do you use the ebrake and does that coincide with this behavior?

 

No.. i rarely use the parking brake, I really think it's something w/ the tranny. The original poster explained it well, that's exactly what mine does.

 

I just went out to the garage to check the linkage. Loosened it up, let it settle, and tightened it back up. Whoever said it takes longer to get the sockets out of the toolbox than it does to actually fix 'er up was right. I just hope that "sticking" episode doesn't happen again. It's only happened twice in 7 years so I'm not that worried... or should I be.

 

When rear gear oil gets into your drums, they " stick ". Mine did it and it was the axle seals that were bad. One drum was floating in gear oil.

 

Well just got back from the tranny shop and looks like the rear brakes are sticking. Will deal with that tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice and hopefully my problems will be few and far between.