94 T4R shifting problem

[SkyDog1971]

Hi there. Just wanna say I recently bought a 94 4runner and had quite a bit to do to it to get it up and running decent and I've used this forum as my go-to for all my problems. Thanks to everyone that provides very useful and helpful information to people, like me, who are interested in trying to do the repairs ourselves!

After replacing the idler arm, pitman arm, power steering hose, and front wheel bearing I've felt like I can take on anything now! I'm not too knowledgable on cars and trucks but I'm getting there

But this morning I went to take a drive and noticed I could hardly get out of 2nd gear. It's a 94 SR5 4x4 4runner V6 3.0. It just kept revving higher and higher and every time I'd back off the gas it would drop in rpm's and when I'd go to push the gas again it would rev back up and keep going into the 400-450 rpm range. I managed to make it back to the driveway and decided not to mess with it at the time. Hour passed and I decided to see if I could see what was wrong with it. Checked the transmission fluid which seemed fine and decided to try and drive it again. Was able to drive around the block with no problems whatsoever.

Could someone give me some sort of insight as to what could be the problem? I've been researching everything I could and so far I've heard of solenoids going bad, new transmission, etc. thanks again for all the help!

 

[77'911]

Check to see if your fluid is low, first. What color is the fluid? Sounds like the pump in the trans is not getting enough fluid, or the clutch packs are slipping. You might consider a fluid and filter change. The rpm issue is different, but that range described is too low for an auto trans truck.
regards

 

[SkyDog1971]

Check to see if your fluid is low, first. What color is the fluid? Sounds like the pump in the trans is not getting enough fluid, or the clutch packs are slipping. You might consider a fluid and filter change. The rpm issue is different, but that range described is too low for an auto trans truck.
regards

I did check the fluid level and it seemed okay. Color was red and couldn't see any other discoloration. When I said the rpm's would jump up to 400-450 I meant to say 4000-4500 rpm's. it's almost right before the red line on the odometer. Thanks again and I will go ahead and change the fluid and filter as well.

 

[laxbro19]

Are you sure you were in drive? Sounds stupid to ask but with my auto I can bump it into 2nd while its in "drive" without actually having to push the button if I pull the shift lever back far enough

 

[southbay]

I have had this same problem intermittently and only when its been sitting for awhile, like in the morning. After the first time I replaced the shift solenoids. It has happened since so that wasn't it. My fix is to just let it idle and warm up, then it shifts fine. Has happened to me 3 or 4 times in the last 2 years. I don;t think its the Trans itself, fluid is clean and it shifts well the rest of the time, I think the ECU gets confused at times and doesn't fully engage the gears or maybe shifts in into 4th to start out and it slips....

My $.02, see if letting it warm up helps.