Hi all.
I'm hoping that some 3rd Gen owners will be able to help me out with this. I've got 10k left in my extended warranty, and I'm having a problem with my transmission.

I'll start up my 99 runner ltd. in the morning and start driving. However, my tranny refuses to shift out of second gear until the engine gets warm. I'll be driving down my street in second gear and the engine just keeps on revving and doesn't shift into third. If I wait for the engine to get totally warm, then it will finally start shifting normally.

Ok, so here's the kicker. My local toyota dealer is telling me that it's NORMAL. "It's a safety feature". I find it ridiculous that it would be "normal" for a truck not to shift out of second gear because it's cold. I've been in many other 3rd gens. and none have had this problem.

Would anyone be able to give me some advice? Have any other 3rd gen owners had a similar problem? Am I being ripped off because my warranty is almost due????

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks all!!!

Kevin.

 

It is normal, there was a post a few weeks back about the same thing.

Mine does that.

 

Thanks for the reply. But, I still don't think it's normal. I've been in at least half a dozen other 3rd gen 4runners and none of them have had that problem. For them, it was much colder as well when we started driving.
Would you know what the post is that you speak of so I can read through it?
I just find it too hard to belive that this is considered normal.
Thanks for your help.
Kevin.

 

I tried to find the post but I was unsuccessful. Mine only does it if it is around freezing temps.

 

I found two that sorta addresses the problem.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ght=cold+shift
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...ght=cold+shift

 

Kevin,
My 2001 now has 82,000 miles on it. It had 2 miles on the clock when I purchased it new. The symptom you describe is normal, when the weather gets cold. In my case, I have noticed this every winter.
It has been discussed on here and on other Toyota forums before. A simple fix is to give the truck a few minutes to warm up before you drive away.

Andreas

 

You can try using synth trans fluid like Amsoil which may help the shifting in freezing temps. Mine will usually rev to like 3500 rpm before shifting out of second if it is very cold out. All I can say is it is not uncommon for it not to shift until much higher RPMs when it is cold out but if it refuses to shift at all until warm, that is not normal. Again I bet a change of fluid would solve that problem (I would do a complete flush rather than a drain and fill for your situtation).

 

Mine was doing the same thing. It would NOT shift until it was FULLY WARM. I got it flushed, and now it's much better. Three days ago it was -14 and I was in a rush to get to class, so I didn't let it warm up. I just took off, and while it revved a little higher than normal, it shiften within a half of a block.

Get it serviced...Have you ever?

 

Does the O/D light flash at all? This sounds like it could be a shift solenoid is going. They do need to warm up though before they will shift properly. Safety feature, don't know about that, but even my 2nd gen does it.

 

The problem you are having is not a safety feature, but it is NORMAL. You are noticing part of the emissions program. The Truck is trying to warm up as fast as possible so it delays shifting into 3rd unless it absoutely has to. With the Truck at operating temps sooner, it produces less emissions. This is controlled by the ECU, and is perfectly normal. I hate to agree with a stealer, but they are right this time (just not about the reason). I'd bet that just about every Auto 4Runner (after 97ish) will do the same thing.

Don't worry about it

Steve

 

I have owned 2 5VZ Auto Toyota's and both did the same thing. In fact, my limited would not let me go past a certain RPM when cold.

 

You might want to try getting a BG Transmission Flush done to yours.

http://www.bgfindashop.com/unitedstates/index.php

 

My second generation does the same thing only it involves the over drive.
Until I have driven at least 5 miles or allowed the runner to warm up before driving - the overdrive will not work. Occasionally when still cold it will shift to over-drive and will sometimes down shift out of over-drive when I am going downhill and without any pressure on the throttle - weird ?????

Once everything is to operating temperature - no problems.
Fire it up and enjoy another cup of coffe while waiting for the systems to get warm ! Happy holidays.

 

synthetic atf will also help it out...

a fresh filter and synthetic is what i would do

 

MTL IS CORRECT

this is also true for standards, cold weather? tough shifting throw synthetic in

you may be amazed at the results

 

Either that or invest in a remote starter.

 

Wow. Thanks everyone for your posts. After reading all that, it does make sense that the tranny won't shift out of second gear. I did have my tranny fuild changed 10k ago, but only to the toyota brand stuff. Would there be any problem switching to synthetic after I've used regular tranny fluid for so long? Oh yeah.. and I do have a remote starter haha...
Many thanks all!
I bow to all your yota wisdom.
Kevin.

 

Nope no problems switching to syn.

 

alright so my problem is just the other way around. when cold mine will not shift into first. unless i move the shifter to first. i only need to do it once. after that i can return to drive and be on my way. if it has been warm out i dont notice the problem.