2002 Having Problems

J

jerseygeorge

New member
My goal was to keep my 4runner 10 years or 200,000 miles. Well it is 10 years old and has 206,000, and I think it is very sick.

Two nights ago I cleaned and oiled my K&N Oil Filter. Next morning, coasting down a hill, engine dies. Pull to side, think for a moment, pull air filter, car runs, and smoothes out. Drive around for awhile, no problem. Put filter in. No problem. Conclude oil or water from filter affected plug, injector, etc.

Later in afternoon coming to stop sign. Engine lights come on, etc. Feel like engine is running, but transmission is not transmitting. Engine does not die, but sputters, then I zoom away. Weird...

So I take to dealer and he calls me back with a $7-8,000 estimate. HOLY CRAP. I was afraid it was a tranny. Never had a problem before though.

Now for a long time I have dealt with CHK ENGINE light issues. Following advise here I have changed sensors. Sometimes it comes on goes off.

For a short while I have had check engine light, VSC TRK.

The codes currently are: P0770 Shift Selenoid. They say this requires new transmission $4,000
P0171 Running Lean. They say this is an air sensor, probably affected by oil from filter, $120.
P0420 Catalytic Converter, $3,000 or so...

Plus some other stuff they come up with $8,000. How do I know if I need a tranny? Do they just go? Is a code appearing once with a rough engine mean it is time to dish out $4,000. The cat converter I am not concerned about. My mileage is great, it passes inspection. But the Trans is a big one. Right now they are flushing out and replacing fluid. I will test drive and see. Replacing the air sensor also. The one right behind the filter.

Love to hear anyones thoughts.
 
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I think your should just replace your Mass Air Sensor and call it a day. When my MAF went out after cleaning a K&N air filter my truck did the same thing.
 
LOL! stealerships never cease to amaze me..

They always claim it need to be replaced when it will most likely be fixed with just a nice cleaning.

Clean the MAF/TB, that should take care of the lean out problems. I can guarantee it was caused by over oiling that filter.

The p0420 is usually fixed with a new upstream O2 sensor. ~$90
But look more into that one, Thats not always the fix.

With the trans, have them change the fluid or flush it. Last time I went to the dealer, they told me that service costs about 80 bucks.
 
Thanks for your replies so far. They are replacing the sensors and doing a transmission flush. Everything was going fine until I oiled the K&N!!!

Will let you know how I make out. This was a year for a new 4runner, struggling between the Trail and Limited. But I wanted to do it on my terms. I still love my '02. It has been a great vehicle.
 
LittleCaesar said:
George,

If you are anywhere near Hawthorne, these guys are the folks to see concerning a transmission.

IPT Performance Transmissions | Performance Parts | Torque Converters

But see what those small repairs bring for ya first.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the recommendation. I would like to get a full evaluation of the tranny, away from the stealership. I will sell it shortly, I have reached all of my goals for this vehicle and it has taken very good care of me. But I will not sell it knowing there is a problem, so I will check them out.

JG
 
Most likely clean your MAF, Free or $6 for MAF cleaner.
Replace forward 02 sensor about $100.
Do a total drain and fill (using a T-Tech machine) of trans with full synthetic, probably about $200 or so.
Odds are that "might" take care of most everything for about $300.

Then drive it another 200K
 
K&N's tech department told me once that "you must oil the filter SPARINGLY!"
Too much oil will be pulled thru the filter and collect on the MAF. Clean the MAF. I have tossed my K&N and went back to paper filters. I had lots of dirt come thru my K&N.
 
I think all these responses are right on target. I'd start by cleaning the MAF sensor (with MAF cleaner).

When I got the comment from my dealer that I needed a new catalytic converter, I swapped out both O2 sensors and the CEL went away. Amazon.com has 'em pretty cheap. Think I paid around $150-$175 for both and they were easy to install.

Good luck.
 
I agree with Nuny - she is just broken in and has been good to you.

Don't be afraid to spend a little money on her and drive her another 200K miles.

No car payment is a wonderful thing.

Even if it was a tranny, $7K + is ridiculous. Shop around at some reputable independents - you can do it for much, much less than that.
 
$7000 is surely more than the truck is worth. Check KBB.

You can buy a whole wreck for < $1500, even in CA. Just make sure it has relatively low miles, compatible and swap the transmission.


If - I were you - I would start a new thread with a proper title like "2001, transmission P0770 shift solenoid | cheap fix?"

There may be an easy fix but your thread is not title well. I see SO "XXXX help" titled threads a week, it gets tiring and people don't click on them without a description in the title.


Lastly, here is how to properly search T4R, something that may help you find your solution. I do not know the answer but I'd start with a new thread in this section and searching.

Link ---> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-t...far-more-accurately-than-standard-method.html


:lookout:
 
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Damn people get suckered in so easily.

Change the MAF like everybody says. The filter and transmission are not directly connected so do you really think oiling the filter will magically make its way in the tranny and cause hell?


Change MAF, switch to a regular filter, reset ECU. Test run
 
Everyone-

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Yes, I realize there are different issues here. I will pick it up in the AM after new MAF and a transmission flush. Then go from there.

My 4runner did conk out and leave me on the side of the road. Something she has never done. That was the morning after cleaning and oiling the filter. So the K&N oil is suspect.

The fact that a transmission code came out is surprising, but the second time it conked out later in the day, it seemed like the motor was running but not driving. Very strange. Maybe a perfect storm. We will see, and I will follow up and let you know how she is.

JG
 
Where are you in Jersey? And what dealer was it? $7K-$8K is insane. Even for a trans, MAF and cat. Unreal.

Like others have said. Most likely the MAF is clogged up from oiling the K&N. Easy fix. The shift solenoid is a relatively easy swap too if it is indeed bad. And it's about $200. Doesn't mean the trans is bad, just the solenoid.
 
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