Hi there.

I have a weird problem where my 2003 V8 Limited 4Runner just can't make power. The engine is revving fine but I'm not going anywhere to the point where merging and passing are difficult.

My mechanic asked me if it is slipping or grinding, smoking, hesitating--the classic bad transmission signs but other than the lack of power, it is fine. It's only when the engine is under strain--trying to pass or merge.

It has 228,000 miles on in and very well maintained with 5K oil changes on synthetic. It has a newish CAT, less that 10k on it. Last year was a bad year--CAT and steering system replaced. So, besides the money, I absolutely love this truck and have been driving it for 20 years!

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I wanna keep the old girl on the road!

Torque converter or solenoid problem/leaking seal/dirty/low transmission fluid would be my first guess.
Is it throwing any codes?

Hey! Thank you for replying. No codes, unfortunately. Trans fluid level is good. Any idea how to check the other things?

Kathy

Maybe a vacuum line got disconnected? Not shifting down when passing would feel like a loss of power. That would be related to the shift solenoid. Not sure if the transmission runs on vacuum at all. Just a guess