90 4 runner trans question

[ecl3wyatt]

i have a 90 3.0 l 4runner and when i first drive the truck everyday it will not shift from 3rd through the rest of the gears until the truck reaches operating temperature, then it works fine. anyone have any thoughts on this. thanks

[forest_grump]

I have a 92 4X4 with 3.0 V6 and it will not lockup (torge converter) or go into over drive either and have heard this is common on Toyota A-340H series transmissions...
Change out thermostat if you feel it is taking too long to warm up or needs it(mine is at full operating temp in about 5 minutes to where it hits overdrive and locks up torge converter)

[ecl3wyatt]

Does your 92 take 5 mins after a new thermastat because i have never changed my thermastat and that is about how long it takes mine to warm up. thanks for your reply

[forest_grump]

Originally Posted by ecl3wyatt

Does your 92 take 5 mins after a new thermastat because i have never changed my thermastat and that is about how long it takes mine to warm up. thanks for your reply

That is just how long mine and other 4runners with the 3.0L take to warm up to operating temps...if yours is warming up to full temp in about 5 minutes then that may and may not be your problem.....BUT..your symtoms are so typical (textbook even) of a bad thermostat I would change it anyways...make sure you let it run and top off radiator and coolant resevoir...I would also suggest changing fluid and filter and adding a product available thru Autozone and many other parts stores called Lucas transmission treatment....try that and let me know bud...goodluck

[ecl3wyatt]

I changed the thermostat and it warms up alot quicker now. Thanks for the great info.

[4Wheel]

Originally Posted by forest_grump

I have a 92 4X4 with 3.0 V6 and it will not lockup (torge converter)

I read your comment on your tranny not locking up before. I am curious as to how you tell it is not locked up. What is your definition of locked up. I had just heard someone talking about "lock up" and I want to hear someone elses explantion, I thought I had it right but now..........

Thanks

[forest_grump]

Originally Posted by ecl3wyatt

I changed the thermostat and it warms up alot quicker now. Thanks for the great info.

You're welcome...enjoy the ride

[forest_grump]

Originally Posted by 4Wheel

I read your comment on your tranny not locking up before. I am curious as to how you tell it is not locked up. What is your definition of locked up. I had just heard someone talking about "lock up" and I want to hear someone elses explantion, I thought I had it right but now..........

Thanks

By nature as designed,the A-340H transmission will not go into over drive or let torque converter lockup til engine is at normal operating temp.
You can tell when engine is warmed up if torque converter is locking up like it is supposed to at light throttle very easily....when you are on highway or above 45 MPH (usually)....press brake with gas pedal still at same *cruising* speed...if you see your RPM's increase then your torque converter has just unlocked and is working normally(some refer to this as the 4th gear before over drive not knowing any better)
Locking up a torque converer is for better MPG's but alot more wear and damage would happen if it was not allowed to slip and cushion on hard excelleration and stopping and why it is allowed to slip a bit like the old non lock up transmissions from years gone past.

[ILOVEMY69]

I have a '91 4runner 3.0 v6 w/a 175k miles. It still has the original tranny and it works fine however the engine had to be replaced about 40k miles ago.

[forest_grump]

Originally Posted by ILOVEMY69

I have a '91 4runner 3.0 v6 w/a 175k miles. It still has the original tranny and it works fine however the engine had to be replaced about 40k miles ago.

WELL CONGRATS,I AM SURE MANY OF US HERE ARE MOST CERTAINLY THRILLED TO DEATH THAT YOU HAVE A '91 4RUNNER 3.0 v6...WOOOOOHOOOOOOO YOU MUST BE AS THRILLED TO IF NOT MORE!!!!


SOOOOOOO.... what has that got to do with this post and how is that supposed to be considered creative input that will help the person in this post????Gezzzzz lol

[Brian R.]

I have a '87 Buick and it is the best car in the world. It has 750K on it and has only had 10 engines and 4 transmissions. The body is never going to rust since it is all putty now...

Halleluyah

[forest_grump]

Lol!!!!!

[jdla29]

Originally Posted by ecl3wyatt

i have a 90 3.0 l 4runner and when i first drive the truck everyday it will not shift from 3rd through the rest of the gears until the truck reaches operating temperature, then it works fine. anyone have any thoughts on this. thanks

I have a 95 4 runner, and i have the same problem, actually i just changed the fluid.."probably didn't even need to", but gave it a shot. mine takes a good 5 minutes as well, then runs fine..weird, but i have almost 200k on it so a little time with it is no biggie, just wondered if anyone has had it looked at, and got the rip job from a mechanic..what if anything makes it shift right off the bat??? and...is there a switch that can be changed???

[Brian R.]

Welcome to the AF!

As was posted above, try a new thermostat.

In the future, don't resurrect old theads to get a question answered (note this thread is 10 months old). Start your own thread, or in this instance, read the thread and follow the advice that was given someone with a similar problem.