AT: First gear only in L, D defaults to 2nd or

Shaun @ Tru6 · 02:46 PM

maybe 3rd.

Picked up a 94 4Runner parts truck which was supposed to only be running on 5 cylinders but the real culprit is the transmission. $5K was actually put into the truck with a new motor back in 07 and the motor runs strong.

If you start off in Low, the truck is fine, upshift to 2nd or Drive and you are OK driving along...it's pretty much a manual. Shifts normally after moving out of Low.

Put it in Drive first and the truck barely moves, but will and gets going and shifts normally when it should.

Fluid on the stick was dirty, only a hint of red so I thought I might only have to change the fluid and filter and it could work. 3 hours later (what a sucky job!) truck is the same.

Any thoughts? Given the symptoms, is the transmission basically toast?

If I can fix the shifting, it would actually be a nice truck, sort of.

rick-l · 09-25-2010, 03:55 PM

What kind of transmission is it?

Can you get to the governor without removing the transmission from the car? I bet there are plenty of AT experts here.

lm6y · 09-25-2010, 04:50 PM

Shaun, according to my Mitchell program, that looks like it's the same transmission that Jeep used in the Cherokees. Jeep calls it the AW4, and it's pretty much bullet proof.
Worn out neutral safety switches can do what you describe in Jeeps, along with a faulty shift computer. The NSS is actually a gear shift position sensor, and tells the shift computer which solenoids to apply for different gears.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-25-2010, 05:23 PM

Rick, I think the transmission is either an A340H or A340F, 4 speed auto.

Brent, thank you for the info! I'll start troubleshooting the NSS and shift computer tomorrow.

EarlyPorsche · 09-25-2010, 06:20 PM

Do another pan drop too. Make sure you have the right fluid.

rick-l · 09-25-2010, 07:38 PM

Here is some info but no solution. Look at post three and the fail safe information.

A340H help - YotaTech Forums

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

That sounds electrical. Check the battery connections. The transmission in one of dads dodges starts acting up if the battery isn't connected good. Also check the brain for the transmission, those go bad as well.

aigel · aigel's Garage

I would also guess electronics. Worn clutches won't act like that. It sounds like it goes into fail safe mode - starting out in a high gear from a dead stop. I have had this in a 93 Passat - turned out it was the trans brain.

Changing the fluid that's in the pan is a drop in the bucket. You want to get more out (usually an auto trans holds as much oil as a 911.

. Many torque converters have a drain bolt, best way to get it all out. Otherwise you may want to have it flushed or do so yourself (disconnecting at the radiator and having a jug of clean fluid on the "in" side and a drain bucket on the "out". This will use a bunch of fluid, but still be cheaper than a pro.

HTH,

George

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-26-2010, 05:38 AM

Thanks again guys. Doing some more research, it looks like I've got to pull the codes but I think I'll be putting in some solenoids:

Overdrive light flashing on and off. - YotaTech Forums

leads to

Support Groups for Toyotaholics - A340 Transmission issues and FAQs

most likely leads to

Solenoid kit, A340, 2 Shift solenoids & 1 Lock-up | Switches & solenoids | Bulkpart transmission parts

Could be a relatively inexpensive fix. Time to get the volt meter out.

lm6y · 09-26-2010, 05:56 AM

Even cheaper here it looks like.

Toyota A340, Transmission solenoids, Rostra # 52-9002

aigel · aigel's Garage

Great. Keep us updated. My Pas**** also had the solenoids as a first suspect but they turned out ok. I keep my fingers crossed for you!

I really like manuals ... you can't get a 4 runner any more with that though ...

George

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-26-2010, 04:25 PM

Didn't get much testing done today other than to confirm that the NSS is OK. Most of the day was cleaning the garage, winter's coming soon. Drove it around today and determined that it goes from first to third when starting from Low and shifting to 2, which is expected according to my research. There is a slight possibility the wiring for the solenoids is just disconnected.

Will keep you posted but unfortunately I'm away all next weekend/week so if I can't get to it this week, won't be able to for a spell. Stay tuned.

targa911S · 09-26-2010, 06:25 PM

sounds like what they call the "limp mode" all my chryslers have done it when the AT goes south.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 11-14-2010, 10:54 AM

had some time to look at this today and before I was able to, took it for a drive and amazingly, it started to shift properly. went to AutoZone and got some Sea Foam Trans Tune and drove it. Lost the 1-2-3 function, but now have second gear, so the truck works pretty well now starting from 1 at a stop light then shifting into D for around town driving, much better than going from 1 to 3. Highway works great.

I'm going to drive it for a week and then probably change the transmission fluid to see what happens.

Overall a nice little truck.

Does have a drivetrain vibration on deceleration at highway speed. not sure what it is.