2001 limited seems to fall out of gear after highway drives

[Padge]

I have been having an issue that is getting worse. I know I have to take it in, just looking for any insight you guys may have.

I drive about 16miles to and from the train everyday. I average about 70mph for almost the entire trip. When I exit the highway I come to a turn where I typically come to a complete if not slow rolling stop... Lately once I get back on the accelerater the RPMs climb but I go nowhere... it's like the car is in neutral. This issue lasts for a few seconds before it properly engages and it starts accelerating again.

I don't have this problem at the starts of my drives, only after highway trips where the car warms. Also, after it happens once in a drive, it doesn't seem to happen a second time in that drive BUT my drive is just limited to this commute.

Any thoughts?

140k
Auto trans

 

[dozerfrelich]

To me it sounds like your trans is slipping . check the fluid color and hope it's not the pink milkshake. When was the last time it was flushed or fluid an filter change?

 

[Padge]

To me it sounds like your trans is slipping . check the fluid color and hope it's not the pink milkshake. When was the last time it was flushed or fluid an filter change?

Oh man. I'll take a look.

 

[Qyota]

My '99 exhibited this exact behavior the summer after I bought it. It had been a victim of the pink milkshake, and the tranny was toast. If this is your issue, find a donor tranny and have it swapped in, that's about the best you can do.

 

[Padge]

My '99 exhibited this exact behavior the summer after I bought it. It had been a victim of the pink milkshake, and the tranny was toast. If this is your issue, find a donor tranny and have it swapped in, that's about the best you can do.

Wouldn't I have overheating issues?

I do tend to have some hesitation at very slow speeds too... Car jerks a bit.

 

[dozerfrelich]

Sounds like a new to you transmission is in your future

 

[Padge]

Color is red. Not sure on viscosity... Doesn't look like a milkshake.

http://imgur.com/qExPMH9

Checking master thread now. Hope the tranny isn't shot... If it is, I can't imagine the truck is worth repair even in its great condition.

Time to start googling.

 

[dozerfrelich]

You have to check the transmission fluid. It the dipstick with a red tip and is located on the passenger side towards the fire wall more

 

[3bears]

if you have had the truck for long ( more than a year), you know the history and abuse. You would know if previous owner had the pink milkshake. Threads show that in most cases a tranny wont go long after pink milkshake If you know it has not had the pink milkshake then id go for a tranny flush, maybe even drop the pan and do a filter. then if your gonna keep it around, install a remote cooler and bypass the radiator or install a new radiator. If your running the original radiator, and still running the tranny through it, the pink milkshake is coming.
A 2000 with a 140k is still a baby, maintained history shows these things will go for a long time, it is not unusal to read threads of people going 250 to 300k with proper care
or going only 120k without care

somewhat related, my sister commutes in the wash dc area, her symptoms were nearly identical to yours ( but not a 4runner)
I suggested a tranny flush and filter, problem gone

 

[KainDrag]

Color is red. Not sure on viscosity... Doesn't look like a milkshake.

Imgur

Checking master thread now. Hope the tranny isn't shot... If it is, I can't imagine the truck is worth repair even in its great condition.

Time to start googling.

That's not the transmission fluid, that looks like your coolant overflow tank. It's the red dipstick on the passenger side of the engine close to the firewall.

 

[MStudt]

That's not the transmission fluid, that looks like your coolant overflow tank. It's the red dipstick on the passenger side of the engine close to the firewall.

Next question, and it's a good one. Why is there ATF fluid in the expansion tank?

OP, even if you were using red coolant it wouldn't be that thick! Something isn't right with that picture.

 

[JayRolla]

Looks milkshaky to me. Coolant is like water, should not be thick like that.

 

[Padge]

Last owner (first owner) was a older guy who maintained it meticulously at the Toyota dealer. He had all work done by Toyota, etc.

I've had it for about three years. Only driven it about 15k since purchase.

Will check dipstick tonight after work. Hoping I luck out.

 

[jgue467]

Imgur

Oh man - that pic is not pretty. I'm pretty sure the same 'fluid' w/b in the radiator, engine doesn't mind that too badly but the tranny will - ugg.

 

[Padge]

Ok. i checked the dip stick. Picture doesn't show well but the fluid seems reddish/brown. Smells fine. Pictures linked at bottom.

Also checked coolant reservoir again and it's not thick at all... Very "wet"... I believe it's just the oem red/pink toyota coolant.

- Album on Imgur

 

[maverickhawk]

That's pink milkshake. You can baby it for maybe another 500 to 1k, but the clutches are toast. I am going through the same thing.

 

[KainDrag]

If it was me and I didn't know anything(I really don't) I would get it inspected at Toyota or a certified indie