2001 Transmission Issues

[Dragon Tyro]

Also, this was not caused by overheating, you could still see the stamping on the clutch plates.

 

[thenewuser]

So this is just something that happens from time and miles, not abuse? What are the benefits to rebuilding the trans over replacing it with a used one?

 

[Dragon Tyro]

The technician was actually surprised; the 340 transmission is usually pretty bulletproof, so the speculation is that it was a manufacturing defect in this lot. As for the benefits of rebuilding over replacing with a used one, everyone had an opinion or advice for me before I had the service done. The stories about hundred dollar transmission are largely a myth, unless you have the tools and time to scrounge a junkyard and pull it yourself. No shop that has to warranty it's work will use a used transmission that hasn't been rebuilt; so you might as well rebuild the one that's in your truck now. Shops that do warranty their work choose rebuilt versus remanufactured based on the age of your vehicle and how many miles are on it. Had my truck had 250,000 miles on it they would've gotten a certified remanufactured transmission at a cost of about six grand. Either way shops that warranty their work are typically going to give you the same warranty for the work done, in my case 12 months or 12,000 miles which I could extend for a fee if I choose. If you have the time and equipment or a buddy with a shop who isn't going to warranty his work then a used transmission from a defunct vehicle may be the option for you, in my case it just wasn't something that worked for me, I don't have the time or the equipment and I needed some assurance that this thing was going to get me through the next several thousand miles.

 

[TheeMikeB]

$6000??? Time for a 5sp swap.

 

[Brique]

And the takeaway for me yet again is if the transmission ever starts to act funny, treat it like an emergency and take it in immediately...

 

[Dtutor89]

Exact same symptoms my 2001 4runner had but I lost all gears.

It may be 2nd, I'll check in the morning if it's cold enough.

When I said blowing on the 2nd problem, I meant it as an approximation of the sound. Oddly I only hear it in the cab, if I roll down the window, I don't hear anything unusual. I have done a service so it isn't low/old fluid. It does drive well otherwise.

My 01 Toyota 4runner had the same issue as your Toyota did. Made a weird noise in overdrive and when I turned it off it stopped. Then I was on a expressway that was a 70mph speed limit and I had to turn the overdrive on and the strange noise came back and then it got slightly louder then I suddenly had no gears. I shifted it from low to 2nd to drive, neutral and to reverse (while I was still moving because I was panicking) and it did nothing but rev up like I was in neutral. I pulled over and parked it and got out and started looking and listening to the transmission and it was making a ca klunk ca klunk ca klunk ca klunk sound around the transmission area, even in drive. Could it be the same problem that you just had with your Toyota by chance. Your symptoms you described in this post especially the second fan like noise is exactly how mine was acting.
Trying to find out if I have no choice but to buy a good used transmission or if the old one is revivable.
My buddy swears that replacing the front pump will fix it but I've been told by a couple well experienced mechanics that has a lot of years turning a wrench under their belt tell me that I would be better off replacing the transmission.

 

[thegipper]

My 01 Toyota 4runner had the same issue as your Toyota did. Made a weird noise in overdrive and when I turned it off it stopped. Then I was on a expressway that was a 70mph speed limit and I had to turn the overdrive on and the strange noise came back and then it got slightly louder then I suddenly had no gears. I shifted it from low to 2nd to drive, neutral and to reverse (while I was still moving because I was panicking) and it did nothing but rev up like I was in neutral. I pulled over and parked it and got out and started looking and listening to the transmission and it was making a ca klunk ca klunk ca klunk ca klunk sound around the transmission area, even in drive. Could it be the same problem that you just had with your Toyota by chance. Your symptoms you described in this post especially the second fan like noise is exactly how mine was acting.
Trying to find out if I have no choice but to buy a good used transmission or if the old one is revivable.
My buddy swears that replacing the front pump will fix it but I've been told by a couple well experienced mechanics that has a lot of years turning a wrench under their belt tell me that I would be better off replacing the transmission.

Replacing the front pump will not fix your issue. Most likely your planetary gear(s) have failed. Unfortunately the 01/02 model years are more prone to this type of failure for whatever reason.

Your best bet is to get a rebuilt unit or try to find a solid used one. If you go the rebuilt route, I would get one directly from a Toyota dealership.

The 01/02 years use a slightly different transmission (no kick down cable) than the earlier years so if you go the used route, make sure you get one from that year range.