2000 4runner transmission slip when downshifting at speed
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Thebeastlives
New member
Normally this would be the time to 1) have your mechanic look at your transmission 2) change the transmission fluid maybe add lucas additive Amazon.com: LUCAS LUC10009 Transmission Fix 24 oz, Brown: Automotive
Thanks for your reply! I have done both of your part 2 already. Transmission flush at Toyota and added some Lucas transmission fix to see if it would help at all, both to no avail. Talked to some of the techs at Toyota and they said they didn’t know why it would only slip shifting 4th to 3rd and shift totally fine the rest of the time
Thebeastlives
New member
Toyota techs general don't really troubleshoot transmission issues very deeply. With that said if a flush and the additive added during the flush ( assuming they did it properly and added the entire bottle) then I would take it to a specialist and have them look over the entire transmission. Worst case is that the transmission is starting to fail. Best case the specialist knows exactly what the issue is and it doesn't cost a ton to fix. I ve never had my 3rd gen slip but the 4th gen did for a min and the flush fixed the issue.
As a general rule most mechanics aren't going to tell you what's wrong with a vehicle for free. It's their job so they need to earn a living from it. Can't make a living if you give out free diagnosis. Pay a mechanic to diagnose it.
Edit: Take it to a Toyota dealership for diagnosis. If they can't figure it out and want you to pay for diag then ask to speak with the service manager. Tell him you shouldn't have to pay for a no problem found diagnosis (they may also refer to it as a "can not duplicate customer concern". Also, be very specific when talking with the service writer. At x mph when I go full throttle on level ground my transmission downshifts and feels like it is slipping. Or whatever your problem is. The more specific you are the more info the mechanic will have to try to duplicate your problem.
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Certainly wouldn’t expect them to tell me what was wrong for free now but at the time I was working at a Toyota dealership in the service department and they said they hadn’t heard of this particular thing before. Unfortunately I quit for a new job before I was able to have them check it out. But you are right it’s time to pay for a diag. Just wanted to check on here if anybody had any luck with this issue before paying for it. Thanks for the input guys!
I haven’t pulled the pan off yet. I was thinking this weekend pull the pan, inspect the filter/magnets, and test the solenoids. And then if no dice with anything wrong there take it in. It’s just weird how it shifts great all the time except 4th to 3rd on the freeway it’s like it goes into neutral and revs to redline (definitely doesn’t go into second) until I let my foot off the gas and it drops down into 3rd (turn O/D off after it happens)
plcfcng
Member
I have some experience with Automatic Transmissions in my past but not specifically with Toyota Transmissions. Correct fluid levels are very important check on flat ground and warmed up but not after working it hard like pulling a steep grade. I think this has already been covered at length. A clogged filter can also cause shift problems. So when you pull the pan look at what you find at the bottom of the pan. Kind of a muddy slime is normal, flakes are indications clutch coming apart a little bit is ok alot could spell problems. Fluid color black is not good brown need service now and cause some but they can clear up with a fluid change. Be sure to wash out the and don't leave the magnets out when putting it back together.
So when you pull the filter down either replace it or look up inside if you see a metal mesh screen you can just use some brake clean and hose it out and reinstall your call. Get a inch lbs torque wrench to put it all back Harbor Frieght has a 1/4 drive that can do the job pretty cheap too. If you just changed the fluid you can just put it back in if you kept it clean. When you get it back together make sure you get the level right when warm on level ground. With it all back together drive it for a while try manually shifting it up and down at about 50 MPH and use the throttle to do this also.
When I serviced my Transmission the OD worked poorly after the service and hitting the button for a while during driving it cleaned up quite a bit. If in the end this does not fix it you have lost very little. If it where me and it did not clean up I would search out a good transmission person as it shoulds like it is more of a valve problem and not a clutch problem.:hat:
So when you pull the filter down either replace it or look up inside if you see a metal mesh screen you can just use some brake clean and hose it out and reinstall your call. Get a inch lbs torque wrench to put it all back Harbor Frieght has a 1/4 drive that can do the job pretty cheap too. If you just changed the fluid you can just put it back in if you kept it clean. When you get it back together make sure you get the level right when warm on level ground. With it all back together drive it for a while try manually shifting it up and down at about 50 MPH and use the throttle to do this also.
When I serviced my Transmission the OD worked poorly after the service and hitting the button for a while during driving it cleaned up quite a bit. If in the end this does not fix it you have lost very little. If it where me and it did not clean up I would search out a good transmission person as it shoulds like it is more of a valve problem and not a clutch problem.:hat:
