So in the mornings when I'm driving to work, it occasionally (or sometimes every day) will drive fine for a couple miles, then all of a sudden from a dead stop, it'll accelerate like a pig. The motor is winding out and everything, but it just will BARELY go.........I'm thinking the TC isn't engaging? It happened a lot today....after I had gears and a front locker installed yesterday.....

I have an oil leak that I can't figure out the point of origin, I'm hoping valve cover, but it might be rear main...would it be possible for oil to get to the t/c and cause this?

I'm kinda at a loss. Once it does it once or twice, it doesn't do it anymore for the day.....it's really weird.

 

Do you have a manual or auto tranny? It sounds like it's your tranny slipping if it's an auto. It may be time for a fliud change and add some of that Lucas tranny treatment. That stuff works wonders if your tranny is starting to go out. I don't think it has anything to do with your T-case.

 

I have to agree about the Lucas tranny treatment, this stuff works wonders. If it is your tranny, 90% sure this will help. Give it a shot, for about 12.00, you can't go wrong.

 

i didn't mean t-case i meant torque converter....

I doubt the tranny is slipping...there are no indications of it.

 

I am asssuming that you are talking about the 94 runner, if so, it sounds as if there is a valve sticking in your transfer case and it is occasionally stuck in 4 low? It seems as if this is what you are describing but maybe a little more info.

 

Sounds like a tranny slip issue. TC (torque converter) probably has nothing to do with it. Check the ATM fluid level and the condition. Check to see if the ATM fluid smells like it's been HOT.
TC doesn't "engage" when taking off. TC only locks in 4th at higher speed.

 

nothing to do with 4low.....

i'll probably go somewhere and have the tranny flushed.

 

I just don't think it's the tranny slipping, as it didn't do this on my way home from work.

 

Actually the torque converter does "engage" when you are starting off. That is what stall speed is, the amount of RPMs needed before the torque converter "hooks up" with the transmission.

Good luck. There is a valve in the rear valve body that can become "sticky". When it does the symptoms are exactly as you describe. The transfer case on your vehicle is an integral part of the transmission. They share fluid circuits. The last two of these I worked on had similar symptoms like you describe. The root cause was an element failing inside the transmission. It was giving off debris which stuck the valve in the transfer case.

And once again, any more info?

 

flush the tranny my dads 91 4 runner was doing the same thing for a 100 dollars its worth a shot before you do any major work

 

it didn't do it today. Apparently seems to only do it if I don't let the car warm up a bit before driving or if I don't drive it for a day or two.

I think a flush is in order. And some seafoam tranny treatment before the flush.

 

my roomates tranny did that. Pulled it apart and the torque converter was toast. As well as the pump.

If you put it manually into 1st gear does that make any difference. It could be your TPS going and you are actually trying to start out in 3rd gear and you are just slipping the clutchpacks.