Specs:
4Runner 2001 SR5
2WD V6 3.4L
Miles: 110K


The past few days I've noticed that my 4Runner was shifting irregular. Downshifting/upshifting at the wrong times. Also When I shifted from "P" to "D" the shifter was stiffer than normal.

Today on my way to work this morning the t4r was running normal than at the stop light bam! Out of no where the engine died. Threw it into "P" and started it up again. Idle is fine, but kinda of low. When I threw it to gear it died right away. No jerking or movement just a quick and painless death. I tried putting it to the other gears R, 2, and L and it just dies. I'm almost certain its a transmission problem. I don't know what else would be the problem. Any opionions can it be something else? What kind of transmission problem is this? Repairable or should be replaced?

Also, I'm from the OC/irvine area anyone know mechanics that can hook up a transmission job. Thanks.

-Jay

 

bump_

 

Boy these are some hard questions for the newbie folder, I'm not sure what it could be but you can start with this FSM link and look down to the diagnostics auto transmission sections:
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/2003/index.html

 

Are there any trouble lights on?

When I look at this table the next to last symptom seems to fit your problem doesn't it?
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/2003/Repa...a340ea/pst.pdf

And that sends you to this page IN-28:
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/2003/Repa...csy/htutdc.pdf
Where you need to have a multi-meter to do some tests.

 

AAA just picked up my truck and I sent it to a shop for a diagnosis. First the tow truck guy thought it was the idle sensor stalling the car. But now he thinks otherwise because when he reved it high before switching gears the engine still stalled. There are no check enginer / any idicator lights on. I'll update you guys on the shops diagnosis.

 

OK here's the news:

I talked to the shop they explained that it was a transmission problem. Something is locking up. They're not sure they did not open the transmission but they're assuming that its a locked up cillinoid or torque converter. The estimate they gave me for parts+labor is $1800. Any opinions?

 

More news just got off the phone with Toyota service guy. I told him the problem and he said that in his 12 years he's never heard of that symptom ending up being a tranny problem. Now I'm confused. Next action is on me. What to do?

 

Hmmmm,

 

I think I'd call IPT and ask for an opinion: http://www.importperformancetrans.com/index.shtml

Might try asking this question in the regular forum section (this really isn't a newbie question) there are a few transmission guys and master techs over there too:
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/foru....php?forumid=2

 

Got a qoute from toyota for $3800 they want to replace the whole tranny. They were saying that it was a torque converter causing the car to lock up. Do they need to replace the whole transmission for that?

More details:
Service tech said that the torque converter failed causing the teeth of the tranny to grind up having metal pieces all over the place. His solution is to replace the whole tranny because its cheaper.

 

Does anyone know what the flat-rate hours would be on a 2wd 4runner? I can't see it being more than 5-7 hours for a 2wd. If that rate is true I figure the average hourly charge is $90 (more for a dealer), so the labor shouldn't cost you more than $450-$630. Did Toyota give you a print out of their estimate? I did a quick search on car-part and found 9 transmissions in CA ranging between $650-900. Granted those transmissions are used, you can get good stuff out of wrecked vehicles that way, sometimes the junk yards will even put a small warranty on them so you can get it installed and be sure that it's good to go. Just an idea for you, even with some misc. additional costs my option is a heck of a lot cheaper than $3800.

 

but my problem seems kind of a freak accident. I've been keeping up with my scheduled maintenance. 50K did a tranmission flush at 80K did a tranmission drain/refill now I'm at 110K and a broke transmission. Unheard of. Anyone know of a recall?

 

Not being there, it's kinda hard to tell, but from what you are describing, I kinda doubt the transmission/torque converter diagnosis. From my experience, if the trans was 'locking' up and causing the engine to die, it would be from stalling the engine out because nothing in the trans/converter was able to move. Sorta like letting the clutch out on a standard and holding the brakes at the same time. This usually results in some kind of lurch when the engine tries to move the vehicle, then a stall out when it cant. You mentioned in your original post that the engine just quit with no jerking or movement. That sounds more like some type of electrical malfunction that is killing the ignition circuit when the trans is put into gear.

Again, it is very difficult to diagnose unusual symptoms like yours without being able to be there, but from what you are describing, I would be suspicious of the trans diagnosis.