90 4runner V6 AT problems

[SaoShifty]

So I've been working through the nonsense this truck has thrown at me over the last week

Sometimes I start it, go to drive, it's fine.

Sometimes it's slipping, but I can throttle through it, then it'll be fine until I cut it off

It hadn't worked in 2 days, then I reved it to around 4K(first time I broke 3K) and it just took off.

This morning I had a non related issue, had to pull over, cut the truck back on, wouldn't move again. I waited about 30 mins while cutting it on and off, revving it tryin to get it to move, finally I cut it on and it just went.

I've been searching and reading everything I can about this, can't find anyone having the same exact issue.

Right now if I go outside, run through R to D and such, you'll feel the tranny kick, so I know it's got pressure, it has fluid, I've played with the fluid levels plenty so I know it's not a fluid issue, especially since it drove fine on the amount it has.

Revving it doesn't help, going back and forth through R to D with a little throttle doesn't help, cutting it on and off hasn't given me a working drive since this morning.

Since I know the tranny CAN work properly, and HAS worked properly for me, I don't see why it won't work all the time.

Seems to be something electrical, tranny throws a code for the VSS(speedo doesn't work) and engine throws a code for knock sensor, that's it.

I've read about the solenoids, and how they can cause erratic shifting, selective shifting, whatever you want to call it, but this seems to be entirely different as when the truck works, it works fine.

I just don't know what could cause this, I've spent so much wrench time on this thing I'm losing motivation quick.

I got this truck very cheap under the guise that it "ran good" from my uncle and a buddy of ours(who owns it).

Only 2 things he said were that he'd just done the tranny filter, and that it ran good.

Well my uncle dropped the new filter kit off yesterday when he found it...

So far both those 2 things have been lies, if I can't fix this tranny issue, I'm just gonna cut my losses.

 

[glideraz]

i was having similar problems when i first got mine running (knock sensor code and very eratic shifting) would not shift, couldn't get out of it's own way.

i traced the problem to a shift solenoid #2 i believe went to junk yard and robbed solenoids out of a supra auto fixed the problem for me. been running now for 10months and not aproblem runs great and shifts great good luck.

also you can find articles for testing the solenoids (very easy)

 

[SaoShifty]

Thanks for the input, I'm fairly certain the solenoids are working properly though, as with every gear selection, I can hear/feel a change in engagement.

From my understanding anyways, faulty solenoid would cause it to not engage properly.

The times I've driven it, it runs fine, shifts good, as with the last time I had. Drove it fine about 5-10 mins away, let it idle out front since I was picking up on the issue at that point, then drove back home fine.

I parked it, and it hasn't moved since.

It kicks good and hard into each gear, so I know it has pressure, I feel like the torque converter isn't turning though.

I remember when it was slipping but I throttled through it and it cleared up, I could noticeably hear the sound of fluid moving from the drivers seat.

I just revved it through, got it rolling, stayed on the throttle some and it built pressure and was moving fine on it's own.

I literally don't have any idea what else to check, I read up on the piece on the throttle body that is suppose to control pressure to the tranny(I think that's what it does anyway) but I don't see how it's apparent function controls anything.

With the throttle closed, the cable is pulled all the way out, when you open the throttle, the attachment piece just slides the opposite way, not moving that cable at all.

Just for kicks I unplugged where that cable leads to in front of the driver side firewall close to the fender, no changes.

I'm just not familiar with these setups enough to troubleshoot something like this any further on my own. My symptoms don't seem to be exactly like anyone else.

At the risk of sounding like a n00b, could too much fluid cause something like this?

I do have more than enough in it, but it also worked perfect with this amount earlier today. I also drained about a qt or 2 earlier with no noticeable change.

I know I've had it spot on fluid-wise before though, and it was still giving the same issue.

Between too little, just right, and too much, I've have no specific luck with any set amount. So for right now I am riding a little high, I just can't afford/bare to drain more fluid, then end up putting anymore in.

There is ATLEAST 8-10 bottles of emptied fluid outside now, just to give an idea of where I've been testing the fluid levels thus far.

 

[ozzyleven]

How much higher than the high mark are you running it? I don't know if that can cause this problem, but I run mine right at the high mark and its fine.

 

[SaoShifty]

I'd have to check it again to be positive, but not like 6" on the stick

I had drained like 2 qts out towards the end today so I'm sure it came down a decent bit, prob safe to say within 1" of the hot mark.

I've just had the fluid at so many different levels, I can't put too much emphasis on the level at this point.

I still feel like if I walk outside and start it up, it might just work, but so far I've had the best luck in the mornings.

I'll see what it does in the AM, if leaving it sit awhile helps, then I could see the fluid being an issue.

 

[SaoShifty]

No changes, went out and cranked it, tried it in gear before it warmed up, nothing, let it warm up, still nothing.

I drained some more fluid now the level reads perfect on the stick, let it idle some, even cut it off and back on, still no changes.

I think I'm gonna start looking for a local that knows alot about these trucks.

Just too far out of my ballpark at this point...