3rd Gen Automatic question

[Jamacee]

I just recently got the 99 3rd gen and it had 207k on it last week. I have already purchased my Hayden 405 external tranny cooler after reading about so many strawberry milkshakes. Have not installed it yet.

Honestly this is the very 1st Toyota AT I have ever owned. All my others were 5spds.

What I am experiencing is kinda freaking me out a little. It feels like the clutch pack unlocking (slipping feeling) maybe around 3rd gear. The RPM's do drop about 500 when it happens.

It happens when:

On the pedal ( around 45mph - 55mph )
the OD is on
on light grades

Thing is if it was just like one clunk then I would say yeah it's cool. However its like a studder with loss of forward momentum. It kinda jumps several times and then goes away.

If I gas it more then it will go away. Only happens as stated above. I am hoping it is fairly normal but I don't remember it happening on the test drive and or on the drive back from N.C. to G.A.

Also I was thinking about having the tranny flushed and filled with the Dexron IV. However I am thinking with 207k on it they may make me sign a waiver on the tranny?

Anyone else experience this?

 

[quicksilvr]

Hm. It actually sounds like it might not be the tranny at all. If the RPM is dropping when it happens...and not rising, and it goes away when you get on the gas more.....I'd say it's ignition related. Plugs, wires, coilpacks is the first place to start.

 

[Jamacee]

Hmm. If ignition related why would it do it only around the 45-55mph mark. I don't understand.

So what is the Avg cost of coilpacks these days? I have never had the privilege of buying any before. Is it just 3 on one side? Also 1st time ever having a 5vz motor.

Any thoughts on flushing filling trans and replacing the filter?

 

[quicksilvr]

Hmm. If ignition related why would it do it only around the 45-55mph mark. I don't understand.

So what is the Avg cost of coilpacks these days? I have never had the privilege of buying any before. Is it just 3 on one side? Also 1st time ever having a 5vz motor.

Any thoughts on flushing filling trans and replacing the filter?

For some reason they do that. I don't know what it is about that speed range. The symptoms you describe is exactly what my friends '96 4runner was doing. Shuddering between 40-60 mph...and he could make it go away by stepping on the throttle harder.

New plugs, wires and one new coilpack and it ran good as new. Yes, 3 coilpacks. They are about $75 if I remember correctly.



You can't hurt to flush the transmission and change the filter. If you have it flushed by a shop, make sure they use a T-tech machine, and don't let them go within a mile of it with any solvent based "cleaners".

 

[ndhoward431]

Here's what I think it is. While I have never done this on a 4Runner (I'm a proud owner of a spotless '97 SR5 with 230,000 mi) these exact same symptoms were happening with my families 2001 Chrysler Town and Country. at around third gear, you would step on the gas and it would hesitate and shudder. However, this wouldn;t happen if you hit the gas hard at first, or hit it hard when you started to feel the shudder.

We tried everything but it ended up being a 20 dollar part called the "Idle Air Control". It is a little electronic module that was not difficult to change. Google that on 4Runners and see if it could be the problem. We changed it and have not had a problem since. Just another idea as to what it could be, plus its cheap.

 

[chad99]

You can flush the trans yourself, Just remove the trans cooler line coming from the trans going to the bottom of the radiator, start the engine let the ATF shootout into a bucket till it starts sputtering then shutoff the engine refill ATF and repeat till fluid is nice and pink.

I think I used about 14qt or something like that till i got nice light pink fluid.

 

[quicksilvr]

You can flush the trans yourself, Just remove the trans cooler line coming from the trans going to the bottom of the radiator, start the engine let the ATF shootout into a bucket till it starts sputtering then shutoff the engine refill ATF and repeat till fluid is nice and pink.

I think I used about 14qt or something like that till i got nice light pink fluid.

Eh....I wouldn't let it run out of ATF until it sputters. Thats letting it get pretty dry in there. I would just follow this write-up to the T. Wait...I did.

Dropping Pan And Flushing Transmission



And also, I agree that it could be a TPS or IAC acting up. TPS is throttle position sensor, IAC is the idle air control.

 

[chad99]

Yea I was worried about it at first but then I figured there is no way the clutch packs could be damaged since nothings moving in the trans but the pump and you turn the engine off right when it starts sputtering.

But of course if your worried about some form of damage then by all means measure out the exact amounts as they come out, its your truck!

 

[simmonsauto]

I would service the trans first.. the torque converter may be slipping during lock-up. they get a shudder when they begin slipping