Truck in question is a '95 4Runner, 3.0L engine.

True to form, this truck is pretty sluggish, particularly on the highway. I get on the highway and set the cruise for ~72 miles per hour. A hill comes, and if it's steep enough (i.e., not very), the truck will decide to kick out of overdrive to hoof it over the hill. Once over the hill, however, it will not upshift back into overdrive. It will sit there screaming at 4500 RPM in 3rd gear if I don't do anything. If I cancel out of cruise control, it will upshift to overdrive instantly (even if I manually keep the throttle open as wide as the cruise control had it), and then I can re-engage cruise control in overdrive.

This is particularly annoying in hilly terrain (where I live) because I have to keep cancelling and re-engaging cruise control on the highway. Any ideas on what can cause this?

Thanks.

 

Anyone? I'm thinking of taking this truck on a long trip in a couple days and was hoping to get some feedback beforehand so maybe I could fix it.

 

Mine does the same thing. I'm assuming it's just one of the wonderful yota quirks.

 

If you search there may be an answer.

 

If a hill comes, dont use cruise control. Just use your foot, its not hard. Its also easier on your truck.

You need to shift the auto with your foot. Ease up on the gas and it will shift up.

It wont shift up because you want the truck to be going 72 and its trying to get there as fast as possible.

 

Does the truck have the detent / downshift cable from the throttle body to the transmission? You can tell by looking at the TB and if you see 3 cables connected, you have it. If it does you may need to adjust it just a tad looser, maybe 1/2-1 turn in towards the throttle: it may be holding the transmisssion right at that spot before it shifts.

Or the truck may need a tune-up: if it's down on power just a little bit, that may keep the transmission holding a gear just a little bit longer than it should but you won't notice it with your foot since you can't control the throttle as minutely as the CC servo can.

Disclaimer- I'm not that familiar with the later transmissions. My 91 2wd has a detent cable to the trans.

 

i was searching for the same question!My wifes 3.slow is acting the same way, even on flats. Set cruise @ 60mph, it will maintain it as long as it feels, then drive(1000xtra rpm) take cruise off, using the foot pedal I can accelerate past that speed, while maintaining OD!thought maybe in need of a rebuild!

 

abecedarian was right, the cable was way out of adjustment. The cruise cable was also very loose. I adjusted them both and the trans does upshift on its own now.

Thanks for the input.