2005 V6 4Runner - Add ATF?

[geeman]

I want to add transmission fluid to my 05 V6 4Runner. My brilliant nephew drained the tranny thinking he was helping drain the oil.

It appears from my search of the forum that the tranny is sealed (no dipstick, or filler tube). How can I add and check levels? Special tools?

Also, the 4Runner is on ramps right now, can I back it down even with low ATF? Take to dealer if necessary?

Thanks for your help.

 

[carina71]

I want to add transmission fluid to my 05 V6 4Runner. My brilliant nephew drained the tranny thinking he was helping drain the oil.

It appears from my search of the forum that the tranny is sealed (no dipstick, or filler tube). How can I add and check levels? Special tools?

Also, the 4Runner is on ramps right now, can I back it down even with low ATF? Take to dealer if necessary?

Thanks for your help.

V6 04s have a dipstick. V8 04s don't (sealed, as you say). 05s, I just don't know...

Not much help, I know. But look under the hood (I know you already did that). If the same as the 04s, there should be two dipsticks, one for oil and on for tranny.

I would not even start the engine until you get some tranny fluid in there!

 

[TechWrench]

I want to add transmission fluid to my 05 V6 4Runner. My brilliant nephew drained the tranny thinking he was helping drain the oil.

It appears from my search of the forum that the tranny is sealed (no dipstick, or filler tube). How can I add and check levels? Special tools?

Also, the 4Runner is on ramps right now, can I back it down even with low ATF? Take to dealer if necessary?

Thanks for your help.

As far as I know, the sealed units are the 5-speed autos. And, I believe in '05 the 4-speed is no longer an option. Without the dipstick, the only way to add fluid to the 'sealed' unit is through a sight plug on the side of the transmission housing. I'm at work now, and don't have access to my manuals, so I can't pinpoint where this sight plug is. Adding fluid in this manner will require removing the plug (a threaded plug) and adding fluid until the level reaches the bottom of the hole. Automatic transmissions are usually checked for proper fluid level while running in park and with the unit at operating temperature. I can't say for certain that the sealed units have to be checked the same way or not. But it stands to reason that the 'sealed' units would have the same requirement for the fluid to be maintained at a specific operating level.

I suppose that having the vehicle towed to the dealer and let them fill it would be easier for you, but this could lead to some warranty questions which might be difficult.

 

[geeman]

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I have the 5-speed auto. No dipstick or filler to be found. No obvious plugs on the transmission housing. D@mn! That easy oil change sure turned into a pain in the behind.

I knew I was in trouble when the manual makes absolutely no mention of checking ATF or adding. Got to be a way to do it. Perhaps just not by me.

 

[TechWrench]

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I have the 5-speed auto. No dipstick or filler to be found. No obvious plugs on the transmission housing. D@mn! That easy oil change sure turned into a pain in the behind.

I knew I was in trouble when the manual makes absolutely no mention of checking ATF or adding. Got to be a way to do it. Perhaps just not by me.

Just a further note on my earlier post. The fluid in the 'sealed' units is specific to them, and Toyota cautions against mixing any other type of fluid with it. I am not sure if it is available from an aftermarket source yet, and it is quite expensive from Toyota. I am pretty sure there is some type of sight plug on the side of the unit somewhere, because even though they don't recommend a fluid change schedule, they do say that under heavy usage or towing, the fluid might have to be changed. This would mean to me that the dealership must have some point on the trans to refill it if necessary.

In any event, good luck with what ever choice you have to go with.

 

[geeman]

I didn't see anything but I was less than calm at the time and a little gunshy of unscrewing things. I will talk to the service guys tomorrow. Can't do anything until then anyway.

The ATF is "WS" which is a fairly new phenomenon. I think it started in the 04MY.

I appreciate your input. I thought it was no big deal thinking I'd just refill it. Finding no way to do so was not a good surprise.

 

[GA_4Runner]

Any updates on this? I happen to find myself in the same situation right now, except I pulled the plug myself. Didn't realize it was tranny fluid until I was out from under the truck. By then it was too late to get the plug back in before most of the fluid drained out.

Anyone know how to get fluid back in? Special tools, sight plug, etc.???

 

[geeman]

There's a fill plug on top the tranny. You have to pump it in there.

 

[GA_4Runner]

OK, did a little more searching around and found that information. Thanks for your reply.

I also saw there was the overfill plug recessed on the bottom of the pan as well. Supposed to take that out and fill until fluid starts coming out of the overfill hole.

I'd like to do this myself and not have to tow it to the stealership, but with not having a dipstick or any other way to check the fluid level (apparently they do it with the computer) I might be best off taking it in.

Any thoughts? Anyone else who made this mistake, what did you do?

Quick edit: I have the 2005 V8, although I assume both models have the same 5 speed tranny.

 

[Uneek]

I don't know the exact procedures... maybe someone who does can chime in. Don't quote me on this. Just FYI, I recall reading that you would fill it up through the fill plug. Jump some pins at the diagnostic port to get the transmission to be in a check mode so the light will flash once it reaches operating temperature. Then you open the overflow plug and let the fluid out until it gets to a trickle. Plug it up and you're done.

 

[toto]

Uneek is on the right track.
See my second post in this thread for a PDF file about ATF-WS:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20483

The second page of that PDF file talks about the trans refill procedure.

The SST (special service tool) it talks about is simply a jumper wire, and the "DLC3 connector" is Toyota-speak for the OBD II port under the dash on the driver's side.

 

[toto]

Since the other PDF doesn't have enough pictures (like the pinout on the OBD II port), here's what the Service Manual says.

 

[Kmvreter]

Since the other PDF doesn't have enough pictures (like the pinout on the OBD II port), here's what the Service Manual says.

Follow the part of this procedure to put back as much fluid as came out originally.
Why go through the check light procedure if you haven't moved or turned on the vehicle?

 

[toto]

True, it should be easy enough to just replace the amount of fluid that came out.

If you don't know how much came out, then Toyota's system for checking the level requires that the fluid be warmed to a certain temperature. That's what the stuff with the ATF light is all about - checking the temperature.

 

[Fro-Runner]

Just for information to the rest of us future "DIY'ers"; which plug is the tranmission drain? I'd like to know so I don't make this mistake whenever I start DIY'ing my synth oil changes. thanks

 

[4Rfor4]

Just for information to the rest of us future "DIY'ers"; which plug is the tranmission drain? I'd like to know so I don't make this mistake whenever I start DIY'ing my synth oil changes. thanks

A: The front pan is motor oil, behind it, midway in the 4R is tranny. ---The important thing to remember is that the oil pan visible and very obvious is NOT the engine oil pan. That is the tranny pan. I made the same stupid mistake even after changing the engine oil several times before. I was on a roll changing all 3 of my cars oils and I wasn't thinking. For those who have made the same mistake, it's because when you go under, the first and very obvious oil pan even with a similar drain bolt is the tranny oil pan. Thats why we mistake it for the engine pan. I bet even some mechanics fall for that one. Even if they don't admit it.

 

[4Rfor4]

Since the other PDF doesn't have enough pictures (like the pinout on the OBD II port), here's what the Service Manual says.

Thanks for posting that PDF, a picture is worth a thousand words

 

[dnardi212]

Changing Transmission Fluid Solved Rumble

I have the exact same problem as the others - 2005 V6 4Runner w/ 176,000 miles on it. Feels like running over rumble strips when going about 30-45 and have foot lightly on gas pedal. Other than that the truck is running perfectly - engine is powerful and smooth, shifts perfectly, rides beautifully.

First I changed the transfer cased fluid thinking the problem was in there, but that didn't solve anything. After reading a lot of other suggestions I decided to simply change the transmission fluid in my transmission. Toyota says there is no need to service these transmissions, but they are definitely WRONG. There's a drain plug in the bottom pan and there is a fill plug on the passenger side towards the back of the transmission. This alone tells me Toyota had originally planned on making these serviceable. When I drained the fluid it was clearly spent; it came out like black thin fluid. The new stuff I put in (Toyota brand ATF-WS type https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CTUSEMU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) was red and a little thicker. It certainly needed to be changed.

On the first ride out I could tell it was so much better. No rumble and still shifting smoothly - definitely the solution to this problem. I was going to change the screen inside, but I didn't have a new gasket so I didn't chance taking the pan down and tearing that. But I will definitely purchase a new screen and gasket, and take the transmission pan down. This way I can check the magnets in the bottom of the pan as well.

It was a quick job to just change the transmission fluid - maybe an hour. Putting the truck up level on jack stands takes longer than actually changing the fluid. I recommend this for anyone having the same symptoms as described above.