Flyin,

I've replaced the thermostat with a genuine Toyota t-stat. We're still in the testing phase, but so far so good. The one I took out looked genuine, just old.

The AAMCO guys told me I had metal shavings in my tranny pan (not true, I pulled the pan the week before and it was clean.) They said they would have to remove the transmission to diagnose the problem. Jeebus...smh...

Thanks for the info.

Wow, what a bunch of shuysters! And this is why I'd rather struggle to fix something myself, rather than take it to someone! Sorry, but there's only one person I can trust to do the best job on my vehicles, and that person's ME!!!

Glad to hear the t-stat's working for you so far, were you able to see what the original t-stat's temp setting was? Its usually stamped on the ring, and usually in ºC, so something like 88C or 80C or something else. That might verify that it wasn't the correct t-stat.

I have a 94 4runner that won't shift. At about 30mph it stays at 3000rpm or it slips out just having straight rpm but can't actually feel a slip like you can when ur transmission is going out. But sometimes (very rarely) it will shift all the way threw and shift smooth. I Changed tranny fluid and filter, thermostat, and temp sensor and still hasn't fixed the problem. Any advice?

You might try the shift solenoids. They are easy to change. Though it was not the answer to my problem it may help you?

You are so right. I wish I had the time to do all my own work. A mechanic you can trust is worth his weight in gold!

The thermostat I took out says 82C. It looks genuine. Must have just gone bad.

Actually, an 82C is a 180ºF thermostat! That's why it was not shifting into OD! Stock thermostat should be 195ºF, so the thermo opens too soon, resulting in a colder-running engine, thus throwing the ecu off, making it think its not quite warm enough to shift into OD. This would be exacerbated in cooler ambient temps too.

I changed the transmission oil temp sensor and it shifted great thru all gear. Thought that fixed it until it got to full running temp then went right back to not shifting/slipping again.

Joe, where is the temps sensor on the trans? My problem has come back recently. Funny thing, everything else works great. I have no other problems other than it just doesn't shift into OD?

I have a 180 in my 92 it works in overdrive but mine has a hard time going into drive sometime but not all the time did the shift solenoid, throttle position sensor adjusted the throttle cable and kick down cable,replaced computer and still doesn't work right

Little update, after a two week vaca to California, came back and my 4Runner won't shift into OD...at all? It's done the searching/dropping thing once and went back to shifting into OD for an afternoon but the next morning the problem was back. I took it to Toyota and they said it definitely doesn't shift into OD (haha!), they could find no codes and they recommend a new transmission. They've quoted me $3700 to install a re-manufactured trans, new rear main seal, fluid and labor. I'm looking into what it will cost to install a used one.

So I'm new hear and have a question. I have a 93 4runner v6 4wd. when it is in 2wd and 4hi the transmissions slip no matter what gear it is in including reverse. But when you drop it in 4lo it will go anywhere you want it to
Even up hills. Does anybody have any clue as to what this is?

Hey guy's, I'm new to site and I've been following this particular thread for some time. I'm also having the same shift problem as mentioned in this thread. I've replaced my trans oil & filter, but that was no help. I've replaced the thermostat.,which was the original and it was the 82C (180deg) thermo.

But, according to what I'm reading here, it should be the 195deg?

My question is, if this is my original thermo and I'm just now starting to have these problems, then how would a higher temp thermo make any difference?

Does anyone have a part number for that 195deg thermo?

1995 Toyo pick-up. V6 Auto. 4x4.

Beagler,

I believe, and I may be wrong, that the higher temp therm would regulate the engine temp at a higher point and warm it up faster. I'm skeptical, but that's just how I am. The original post in this thread was for a trans that wouldn't shift into OD for a long time when it was cold. The electronic controls in the 3rd gen keep it from shifting into OD until the engine is 140f. Theoretically the faster you get to that temp the faster you can begin shifting through all the gears.
I tried putting a new therm in mine (proper temp rating) but it did not solve the problem.
Just to add to my last post, I did a manual shift test and OD works fine. A garage I took it to was nice enough to put a computer on it while I drive it around. They said there was no signal from the ECU to shift to OD. Seems the trans is fine, it's bad wiring or faulty sensor, maybe bad ECU?? It has since started shifting properly again so I'm just trying to forget about it for now.

I'm new to this whole forum thing...and to this site...so I'm sure how or where to post... I have a 1991 4runner that I just installed a rebuilt transmission into...i put in the amount of trans fluid as directed by "chilton" and it doesn't even register on the dip stick... I'm thinking that I might have the wrong dip stick for this model year... can anyone tell me what length it should be?

To check tbe level on a manual, the engine must be running and up to operating temperature, in Park with e-brake On.
Then if its low, add some.