88 4runner 1st and second gear sometimes very LOW power?

Hey Everyone! I just bought an 88 4runner and it runs real smooth but, sometimes 1st and second gear have very low power. No strange noises from the Tranny or anything just doesnt seem to kick into gear right. Someone said that maybe its a "governer" for a tranny but I dunno. Any help will rock. THX

Check transmission fluid level with engine running and top off...did you notice if it only did this before engine was warmed up and got better????Many don't lock up when cold...
You tried taking off in 2nd and make sure you are not taking off in high gear due to a bad shift solenoid????
If tranny fluid looks brownish and/or smells *burnt*change tranny fluid and filter.
I have friends that swear by...a Lucus transmission product that stops slippage,frees stuck valves in valve body..blah blah blah....sold at Autozone and many parts stores that I use with no ill effects that might help you...goodluck

Hey! and thanks for the reply. About your question about warming up and shifting better, the answer is no. This problem is really random and I haven't found a pattern to it. Sometimes shifting powerfully and perfect and sometimes (more often than not when it's cold) absolutely gutless in 1st and 2nd. Thanks, Ty (licker of gears)

You're welcome...Might try unplugging wires to tranny and look for corrosion and loose connections.Did you try manually shifting into 2nd when it does that to make sure it is not just taking off in 3rd gear on you yet???

You're welcome...Might try unplugging wires to tranny and look for corrosion and loose connections.Did you try manually shifting into 2nd when it does that to make sure it is not just taking off in 3rd gear on you yet???

SO, I tried unplugging wires. I bought some of that LUCUS tranny fluid additive. (I used 2 bottles) It seems that it kicks into first gear more often now maybe 20 % of the time but, the problem still exists. Wow, when it goes into the normal power mode it has so much power! I heard something about a shifting cullenoid that may be bad. Otherwise I'm afraid it's the transfer case or something serious. Oh, one other question maybe a stupid one: what is ECT button located next to the AT shifter? It's got me all boggled. Thanks alot 4runnerions.............ty

ECT affects shift points. Power mode delays upshifts until higher rpm for better acceleration, lower gas mileage.

Your transmission is an A-340H and will not hit over drive or lockup the torque converter til engine is at full operating temp.....before you start going after solenoids I would strongly recommend replacing your thermostat before you go any futher....then try flushing transmission fluid and changing/cleaning filter in transmission at same time.....
You just tried unplugging wires eh....that's it???I asked if transmission fluid smelt burnt or brownish and never got an answer to that either.
Since you fail to answer all questions asked and only answer what you feel like answering ....I can't help you futher as it will waste both our time and there are too many others that need help that give better feedback to replies...best of luck to you bud.

Sorry it took so long for a reply. This was a difficult problem to get a real diagnosis on.

I ended up taking my runner to a reputable tranny mechanic. It took him about 3 days of tests to figure out that it was in fact, 3 bad solenoids in the tranny. Actually, after many tests he still wasn’t quite sure. The computer tests came up with 7 error codes. It all came down to trying out the new solenoids or a new tranny. I cost about $100 for one of them and $250 for the others and $250 for the labor. Now, my tranny shifts in all gears perfectly. These solenoids that he replaced apparently one can only get through a dealer ( or taken out of a used tranny – of course).

One thing to mention is that this transmission mech. And my regular mech said that this kind of problem would normally be diagnosed with needing a new tranny when, in fact, all one needs is some thorough testing and a few f@@$%ing expensive parts. Don’t go to aamco for this one.

- In response to a previous posting –


- He said that the thermostat has nothing to do with shifting

Thanks everyone! and if you want to know any more about what happened just drop me a line.----------------------------ty

Sorry it took so long for a reply. This was a difficult problem to get a real diagnosis on. ...

Thanks everyone! and if you want to know any more about what happened just drop me a line.----------------------------ty




***One question... Did the transmission stay in 1st gear longer than normal and bogg down the engine sometimes?

Thanks

No, actually part of the problems was that I wasn't going into 1st gear. I was starting out in 2nd or 3rd most of the time.

Note: After the selenoid problems were fixed I still had major acceleration problems until I got a new fuel rail dampener installed.

Thanks, Ty

- In response to a previous posting –


- He said that the thermostat has nothing to do with shifting

ty

All I'll say is that this person has little or NO experience with these 4Runner transmissions, :disappoin or any ECU controlled transmissions for that matter, engine operating temperature is one of the main components of the shifting algorithms.
Many posts here on shifting problems related to thermal problems with the engine.
Good luck