hi there,

i posted to yotatech about a month ago and got no replies, so i guess i'll try here...

'99 4Runner, 3.4, 4x4, automatic (A340F), 234k miles.

4Runner runs well, and has for the last year that i've owned it.

Starting about 3 months ago, as soon as i just hit a steady flat cruise (55-60mph), i would get a slight/quick "shudder", and my rpm's would drop ~300-500rpm. This drop/shudder wasn't consistent, and i thought it was a random misfire. Without having a CEL illuminated, I changed the plugs and wires. it made no difference.

about 2 weeks later, I popped a P0773 code, which is the solenoid "E" in the transmission.

The fluid wasn't dirty-dirty, but it wasn't a nice bright pink. I dropped the pan, tested the solenoid, and it checked out with the correct ohms per the FSM (~13ohms, iirc, and it's supposed to be between 11-15). i also put 12v to it and heard it make a soft click. It seems like it passed both checks per the FSM. there didn't seem to be an abnormal amount of junk in the pan, and there wasn't a ton of stuff stuck to the magnets.

i installed a new filter, refilled, and it drove great for about a week, then the issue came back along with the CEL (p0773 again). i flushed the fluid about a week later to make sure everything was squeaky-clean, and took it for a test drive. intermittent shuddering is still there. reset the CEL, and it comes back about 20-30 miles later.

i dropped the pan and replaced the shift solenoid "E". i tested the new solenoid before i put it in, and it too registered about 13ohms, and passed the function test with 12v applied. it didn't make any difference at all. same exact symptoms.

i tested the function of the o/d - it seems to be working just fine (RPMs raise about 900-1000rpm when i turn OD off, and drop back down as soon as i turn it back on). shudder happens when OD is off as well.

i'm not having any issues with the transmission slipping at all, and have never had an issues with strawberry milkshake or anything like that. it does seem like the issue is more persistent when the truck is cold.

any more ideas/guidance?

Did you check your electrical connections on the outside of the tranny?

Your TPS is good?

help with engine code and how to fix it.. P0773 - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Give this a read. Also check to make sure the converter is actually locking up, if you have the 4.10 gears that most 4 runners did you should be at around 2400-2500 rpm at 75 mph.
Simplest cause could be some loose wiring, worst case it could be the torque converter going out. But I would think the fluid would have shown signs of that.

Pink colored transmission fluid? Are you sure you are not pink milkshaked? How is your coolant color? Whats the coolant overflow tank took like? Sound like water in the trans to me.

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electrical connection on the outside of the tranny seems fine - i disconnected the plug and everything seemed nice and clean. no obvious damage to the wiring. checked OHM resistance on all 3 terminals and everything spec'd out. TPS seems fine - i popped the code for a bad TPS about a year ago, replaced it, and it's been fine ever since.

i didn't notice a drop around 50mph, but i am running right around 2500rpm at 75mph. definitely didn't see anything that funky in the fluid - just looked like it was time to change it. getting kinda dark, and i'm not sure when the last time it was changed, so i did the filter and flush.

definitely not milkshaked... i would describe DexIII ATF as pink when it's clean, especially when you just wipe the dipstick across your finger to check it. coolant is clean - i flushed it when i got the rig, and it hasn't changed much (just checked it today).

any other ideas? the one thing i haven't done is check the wiring at the ECU. trying to find some time to do that this weekend. we'll see...

Did you remove the valve body to replace the solenoid?

negative - removing the filter gave me plenty of direct access to the solenoid.

My truck is having a very similar issue and I have tried almost everything. I have 205,000 on my transmission and it's only been 50,000 since it was rebuilt after it went through the pink milkshake. I have given up and it is going to the transmission shop on Wednesday for diagnosis. I will let you know the results from their diagnosis. On the phone he told me he was thinking a torque converter starting to fail.

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Solenoid E is above the valve body. My understanding is that you have to remove the valve body to replace it, as well as D.

No it isn't...

You can access all three solenoids by just dropping the filter. Here's an image i stole from the internets and circled solenoid e, and put arrows to the other two solenoids...

OP is right, there are no solenoids above the valve body. I just had my valve body out to install a shift kit. This is all there is above the valvebody.

no solenoids.

Well as I promised I finally got my truck back this morning from the transmission shop. I brought it to the same shop that rebuilt it for my uncle after it went through the pink milkshake. They told me that it was a mechanical issue 6and not an electrical issue. They said with out pulling it out and completely apart they could only speculate that it is the pump. They said they would need to pull it out to check seals and bushings. I don't know how much Faith I have in this shop though but since they are the only shop within 15 miles of me I didn't have a choice. I hope it helps you on your quest. If you find out anything different let me know. I Have decided to just drive it until it fails and swap it out for a different transmission that hasn't been rebuilt.

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So i just wanted to check in and see if you had made any head way with your issue. I think my issue is finally solved. I dropped the pan yesterday and replace solenoid with the old one I took out about 6 months ago. While I had the filter out I realized that the gasket for the filter had broken in two pieces. I remember it being that way the last time and I didn't think much of it until now. So I went to napa and bought a new filter and put it all back together. Took it for a good long ride and I had no issues. I don' know what fixed it but I think it was the filter because the transmission shop did say the solenoids were fine but the issue was loss of pressure to the pump and they thought it was the pump. If you still are having trouble try a new filter and fluid. Hope this helps.

Any of you guys had an issue with this code p0773? i replaced my solenoids, new transmission filter new fluid and i cant clear the code as soon as i delete the code it pops right up. The crazy part is that my trans runs completely smooth only has 229000 miles on it? any help out there guys?

I run into the same code and issue. In my case I replaced everything I can before I pull the transmission. Result end up to be torque converter. Good luck hope that help