Hello,

Recently having this problem with my 97 v6 Auto 4x4 limited Auto 4Runner. 90k Miles

When the truck is cold (morning/evening after work),
I start it and put it into drive, there is a delay before the car switches into gear and moves forward.
The engine seems to rev and then the truck moves.
Well it’s gotten worse and now it actually jerks and makes and small screeching sound before it goes.
Once it gets going, it’s fine, but I’m not sure why it’s doing that. Any suggestions on what I should do?

TIA for any insight

 

We had a car that did that right before the tranny took a dump on us. took about 3 seconds for it to shift into drive, and it could take 30 sec. to a minute or longer before it would go into reverse.

 

First, check the AT fluid (with the engine running). Then, after you check it, smell the dipstick and let us know what it smells like.

 

Reverse is working OK, I am planning on taking it to the dealer
to have them check it out.

 

when was the last time you serviced the trans. (fluid and filter) i bought a older lexus ls 400 for 800 bucks because the tranny was slipping bearly catching. i serviced it twice and problem solved. filter kits are about 25 bucks for a lexus so i think yours shouldnt be more than that. that plus ATF is still cheaper than a 70 dollar daisgnostic at a dealer.

 

I can't believe you are taking it to the dealer before checking the fluid...

 

Thanks for your responses.

The truck is currently with my sister so I had her check the
fluid, it is the correct level and with reddish/brown color.

I did several drain/refills with at 40k miles about 4 years ago
with conventional fluid and then did the final fill with Mobil 1 ATF.

My sister is not handy with a wrench so, I am leaning towards
having her get a BG Transmission flush and seeing if the problem goes away.

Thanks again!

 

You should have someone pull the pan and clean the filter screen as well (in addition to the fluid flush), it may be blocked causing the pump to starve for ATF, thus a slow drive gear.

 

Update:

My sister took the 4runner to the dealership on Thursday.
They looked at rear wheels and
the brakes and told her everything looked fine on the rear wheels/brakes.

And the problem could not be recreated since the truck was "warmed up".

She left it overnight so they could look at it "cold".

She got a call today and they are telling her that there is a
leak from the rear axle seal and the brakes are sticking.

She is going to get both rear axle seals replaced,
and get new rear brakes.

Hope this fixes the problem.

Thanks for all your responses!