1995 4Runner Trans Question

[SDwreckingball]

I just joined this site hoping to find some answers. I'm on several other forums for other interests that I have, and this forum seems to be the least organized into sub categories? There is no listing such as:
Motor and Performance
Transmissions and Drivetrain
Audio and lights
Etcetera etcetera….

Thus making it hard to do a search for the issues I’m having. Maybe the mods are working on it? Who knows?
Here are my questions that brought me to this site.
1. My wife’s ’95 4runner has the 3VZE motor with the auto trans. What model trans is in her car? What years did Toyota use this in the 4runners? I’m asking because I’d like to order a trans rebuild kit, or find another trans to use.
2. In the early morning the trans will not shift into overdrive until after driving for 5-10 miles or 10 min of driving. After that, no problems. Even after sitting 8 hours at work, runs fine on the way home. Is this a worn out valve body? The rest of the trans works fine all the time. However it now has 224,xxx miles on the trans.
3. Is it a simple fix or a rebuild? Can I do a trans swap from a newer 4runner or Tacoma?
Thanks for any help you can lend. If there is sub categoties would you point me in the right direction?

Joe

 

[adamjh3]

I can only answer number two for you. It states in the owners manual that it will not engage over drive until the engine reaches operating temperature. Does she have further to go on surface streets before hitting the freeway on the way home from work?

I'm not sure of the why behind this, maybe someone a bit smarter than me will chime in.

 

[KidVermicious]

Nobody pays attention to the subforums we've got, why would we want more?

That's an A340H trans. Best of my knowledge, the only US vehicles that trans appeared in are the second gen trucks and 4Runners with the V6 and 4wd.

It won't shift into OD until it's at operating temp. The A340F in my old '86 would get to temp within a couple blocks, yours is definitely taking too long.

 

[SDwreckingball]

Thanks guys. That gives me a direction to put my efforts into. I don't have an owners manual, just the crappy Hayes from the auto parts store for reference. I'll look into that circuit.

 

[fourwd1]

If you're low on coolant, or there is a problem with the coolant temp sensor, it could cause it to take longer to "appear" to be at operating temp, delaying the ability to shift into O/D.

 

[Yotaguy_95]

I have the same year has your wife has, same engine and transmission. What I do is before I leave to go out, I would start my truck, and let it run for a while so that the engine will reach to operating temperature.

 

[SDwreckingball]

Does anyone know what the voltage reading is supposed to be at the trans when at temp and the color code for the wire? Or does it work like a snap switch when at temp and just come on?

 

[2ndGen4runner4x4]

Is the engine temperature where it's supposed to be? You may have a stuck open thermostat.

 

[fourwd1]

And remember, the temp gauge uses a different sending unit then the EFI and Trans ECM's use.

 

[SDwreckingball]

Less than 8k miles ago I rebuilt the heads after a blown head gasket. Then installed a new radiator with a 16" elec fan on a 185 snap switch. New thermostat and timing belt when I did the heads. This trans issue has been around for about the last 50-60k miles. I just haven't get to it because I don't drive it everyday and my wife says it goes away after x miles. But now that I'm going to be replacing the rear main seal, I'm just wanting to take care of the trans since I have to pull it out anyway.

 

[Clone of the Mean]

Any codes or flashing lights on the dash? Particularly the O/D light? Even the brake light. Mine did that, but it also had shifting problems. It turned out to be the #2 and O/D solenoids. I replaced them and have never had another issue, so far. (knock on wood)