'95 2nd Gen 4-Runner Trans Issue

[rd-daze]

Hello,

It's been a while and I am fairly new, but am in need of some good advice. I realize that this question was asked before, but couldn't really see any clear answers.

We have this '95 2nd Gen V6 4-Runner with Auto trans. Recently back in March was hauling a 5' X 8' U-Haul for about an hour (106 K on the clock at that time) and the A/T Oil Temp light comes on. Stop and let cool, and return to home auto shop and drop off. Install trans oil cooler, and they recommend synthetic trans fluid. This was hopefully the fix, but NO. Wife driving home from her home city (3 hour drive) and she has nothing in tow and light goes on again. I tell her to stop and let cool and she makes it home. Weeks later we are on the road (10 hour trip with utility trailer and 2 motorcycles) to go to a rally. After 3 hours, trans temp light comes on, and we stop and it does this for every 1.5 hours of driving. I realize that something is amiss. We don't want to be stuck miles away and try to baby home. It does all the same overheating things again on the way home and even pukes fluid out of somewhere, but not blown seals. Get it home finally and up to the transmission shop. They can't find anything wrong with it! What could this be? I know it is getting hot, as I could feel the heat. It cannot be just a sending unit.

Please, please offer any sage advice.

Thanks,

Grant

 

[TSP-MIKE]

Well those are signs of the transmission going out. One or more of the clutchs in the transmission is slipping, causing the fluids to overheat. When transmission fluid gets hot it expands, thus causing it to blow out of the vent tube.

So plan on the transmission going out soon. Mine started a problem like this and i drove it 10,000 miles, before it really started to slip.

Mike

 

[rd-daze]

Thanks Mike

Mike,

Thanks. You have just confirmed what I suspected. It's too bad to because the truck doesn't have much mileage on it. This strikes me as very odd for a Toyota, but it seems as though the 2nd Gen 4-Runners were plagued with troubles.

Grant

 

[TSP-MIKE]

How many miles do you have on the 4runner? Mine had over 250,000 miles when it started to slip. I also don't drive normally, i pull a lot of trailers and take my 4runner offroad.

Mike

 

[rd-daze]

Low Miles

Mike,

I believe this started when the clock said 106K. We now have about 110K. Not much mileage.

Grant

 

[mikes4runner]

Re: Low Miles

Mike,

I believe this started when the clock said 106K. We now have about 110K. Not much mileage.

Grant

Don't finger the truck, how often was the tranny fluid changed?.

Are you the first owner or 2nd or 3rd?.

If it was changed at the right time/miles then yes this is odd but if the owner before you never changed it and you bought it and changed it. It is a big no no things come loose and ruin it.

give us some more details?.

My 93 has 120K and few problems, other than the head gasket recall they are great problem free trucks.

 

[rd-daze]

Mikes4-Runner

Mike,

You raise a great question. We bought it 18 months ago from a dealer that told us that it had 2 other owners. This past winter, December to be exact, it lost the head gaskets, and was 2 months off the production line to be eligible for the head gasket warranty. That was an expensive fix with cooling system overhaul. So to have this transmission issue crop up at 110 K after the transmission cooler has been installed is really dis-heartening. I have great faith in Toyota and Nissan, but this truck is really starting to wear out my wallet. Tempted to get rid of it before it gets rid of anymore money out of my wallet.

Grant

 

[mikes4runner]

Re: Mikes4-Runner

Mike,

You raise a great question. We bought it 18 months ago from a dealer that told us that it had 2 other owners. This past winter, December to be exact, it lost the head gaskets, and was 2 months off the production line to be eligible for the head gasket warranty. That was an expensive fix with cooling system overhaul. So to have this transmission issue crop up at 110 K after the transmission cooler has been installed is really dis-heartening. I have great faith in Toyota and Nissan, but this truck is really starting to wear out my wallet. Tempted to get rid of it before it gets rid of anymore money out of my wallet.

Grant

Yes I remember your head gasket issue.

What a bummer! the tranny is not cheap to replace unless you were to do it yourself.

They really are good trucks but I understand your feelings.

Keep us posted as to what you decide to do, and if we can help.