'93 4-Runner transmission (?) problem

[Pooljunkie]

Hello all,

Recently the vehicle acts like it suddenly is in neutral, or nearly so. When this happens, I have to pull off the road & play around with taking it in and out of drive. Sometimes this works & sometimes it doesn't. Eventually, after doing that a few times, it will then seem fine. While it's acting like that, it will still go forward, but you'll be going 15 mph & the engine is revving at 4k. While this is going on, the speedometer reads either zero (even when moving) or it's fluctuating wildly. It's done this several times over a period of a week. The fluid level is ok. Once, right before it started doing this, a light came on that I'd never seen before. The manual says it means an engine electrical problem.

Anyone ever had this happen?

Regards to all,
Bob

[Brian R.]

How long has it been since you've changed your transmission fluid?

[Pooljunkie]

Whenever the last recommended time was, I'm pretty sure. I take it to Jiffy Lube & they keep track of that. It's due for an oil change, so I might try doing the transmission too, whether it's due or not. You think that could be it? The filter clogged maybe?

[Brian R.]

That is the first thing to try when the transmission is operating, just poorly.

Have the code checked if the light stayed on.

[stonewinger]

Looks like we both have the same problem Bob... after further feeling around with mine (thought going in and out of 4WD was causing the problem) transmission is now back to operating normally! I am not so sure that the xfer case is mechanically operated (as I was told by one "expert") the cable and lever appear much to small for a mechanical operation. Anyone have any information on that out there?? Interesting, the service manual has no information on the automatic or the xfer case... "it is beyond the scope of the owner to service." The same manual give complete teardown process for 5 speed!

[Pooljunkie]

First, thanks to all who replied. I took it to the dealer & it turns out the speedometer was screwed up. Because of this, the speed sensor in the transmission sometimes couldn't tell when to shift or what gear to be in. Hope this helps someone else out there.

Thanks a gain to all,
Bob

[stonewinger]

Any chance you might tell us what part was replaced????

[Pooljunkie]

I don't know yet. There were a couple of unrelated problems, one of which required a part that needed to be ordered. I'm supposed to pick it up today. I'll let you know what they did.

Bob

[stonewinger]

Originally Posted by stonewinger

Any chance you might tell us what part was replaced????

Just wondering if you ever got that runner back and had some information on the part replaced??

[Pooljunkie]

Well, I finally did get it back. They had it for almost 10 days waiting on a part to fix an unrelated problem that was discovered. When they checked the computer codes generated by the warning lights on the dash ('check engine' on constantly & 'o/d off' flashing), the codes said the speedometer was the problem. So the entire speedometer was replaced, since it now comes only as a sealed unit to prevent rollbacks. I took it home & the symptoms reappeared. This time however, the transmission slippage wasn't present, but the warning lights were on again & the speedometer, odometer, & trip odometer all stopped working. After two more days, they finally traced it to the speed sensor in the transmission. They replaced that & now everything seems ok.

Thanks for all the help.

Regards,
Bob

[JDW]

I'm a back yard mechanic - we had a similar thing going on with my son's 92 - the constant kicking in an out of gear has to be hard on the transmission. If it isn't doing it yet - it will. It gets worse. Make sure you ask for a speedometer sensor, as there is a speed sensor - but that's not what you want. Just replaced it today. lists at 206.00.
Just one bold holding it on - it's at the rear of the transmission right next to the drive shaft. Has 3 little screws on the outside of it, don't need to take them off, just the one bolt. Slides right out. With the new one you get the o ring, but not the plastic gear. Little clip holds the shaft and gear in. take the clip out and oil it up a bit and slide it into the new housing. put the clip back in and you are ready to install. It goes back in easy except for the last 1/4 inch, I rotated it back and forth a little to make sure the teeth where meshing and then pushed it in.
Put the bolt back in and pray that it works! Mine did.
Your speedometer and odometer will work again unless you have other problems and it will shift correctly and no more reving like it's in neutral!
Hope that helps.
Oh, I did check on line - can get it for 168.00 but I was able to get it for about the same with a discount on my end. Just takes a few more days shipping.

[4Wheel]

Just FYI the A40H transmission and transfer is an ECT (Electronic Controlled Transmission) and transfer case. All controlled by solenoids connected to the ECU and Cruise Control (for kick-down) when cruise active.

[mn4runner]

Just a comment on the transmission speed sensor. I was having similar issues and so I decided to fiddle around with it a bit before plopping down 200 bucks for the part. I took the one bolt off and started to pull the sensor out. When I did this, tranny fluid starting poring out. Is this normal? I put the sensor back in, cleaned the harness with electronics cleaner and havent seen the problem for 100 miles or so.

[gearlicker]

Hey everyone, I was replying to the back yard mech. guy. Could use some help too. I have an 88 4runner v-6 - automatic.

I was having many of the symptoms as described above. On this forum people said that I should check the tranny fluid which I did - perfect. I put in some lucus stop slip. I noticed some slight leaking of tranny fluid at the rear seal of the transmission.

I checked out all the wires connected to the tranny as well- no problem. After I put in the lucus product it went into gear better and more often and now - a month later it barely ever engages in first gear. One thing I haven't done is replace the trans fluid filter. I did change out all the fluid though.

My problem is similiar in that I will be revving real high to accelerate and I think it goes straight to 2nd gear usually. My odometer in NOT working but, my speedometer is working fine.
Also, on this forum someone said something about changing the thermostat but, everyone I talked to (including Toyota mech's) said that has nothing to do with it.

Would getting a speedometer sensor do the same for me even if my speedometer is reading my driving speed properly? Any wisdom you can share with me is greatly appreciated. Thanks, ty

ps to the back yard mech. Where did you find the speedometer sensor online? And to everyone else - what are the best sites to find toyo parts online?