95 4runner gremlins

[rdracer66]

First posting
Hi all,
I've recently purchased a 95runner that is 4x4 automatic with 3.0 motor with 163k miles. I bought this car for a wknd/road trip warrior. I'm an amateur photographer and wanted to be able to get around 4x4 trails that my truck cannot, as well as make it a camping vehicle. I have in the past 2 wknds gone on 2 road trips totaling 2500 miles. First road trip I tested the 4x4 and it appears to be working well. On way home the car seemed a bit rougher of a ride so it might need new shocks now.
Anyhow on to my actual questions, during the first road trip I was driving along the interstate and the car just seemed to slip or pause? Fairly loud clunk with a loss of speed but only for a nano second then it was back to normal. Also a couple lights lit up on the dashboard but not sure which since it went away so fast. Start of the 2nd trip I could hear during hard acceleration a whirly noise coming from the shifter area, thought it was loose change or something in the console so I took everything out and still could hear the noise. It only appears to happen under hard acceleration. During this 2nd road trip the other problem of it slipping or partially stalling? Happened about 4-5 times. Any ideas on this guys? It really has me concerned, because last night I was driving back from AutoZone for a light bulb that went out on my last road trip and within one mile and lower speed the slip/stall happened twice. I'm not sure if this is a tranny issue since the noise or electrical. If it was not for the noise I’d say electrical as I’ve come across other issues that I won't go into just yet but are based around a alarm system that I’ve not yet disabled totally. O also maybe it's considered normal? but when I use cruise control it drops down a gear too early in my opinon and 9 out of 10 times will not upshift.
Kurt

 

[rdracer66]

Too much info ? not enough info?

 

[s2kpuddydad]

I would do a transmission and transfer case service on the truck to see if that helps with the shifting issue. Check to be sure that the performance shift button is off as well. The button is on the shift console below the shifter. When the performance shift option is on it will shift out the transmission longer (take longer to shift to the next gear) so, it will shift at a higher RPM. This gives you a little more speed/performance but, feels like the trans is taking to long to the next gear.

 

[rdracer66]

It's not taking too long to shift gears only when cruise is on does it not upshift most of the time. I've played with the ETC button and it does not seem to help but it does what it's suppose to and stay in gear longer. Only used it a few times when I was climbing big hills. My main problem is the partial stall or slip? Not sure what you would call it, that and the little noise I hear coming from the shifter area in the center console. It only happens under hard Acceleration.

 

[s2kpuddydad]

Check the trans fluid for burnt or bad smell. If it checks out to look bad or smell bad replace the fluid to see if this helps.
Also check to see if anything is coming into contact with the transmission underneath that maybe causing the sounds you are hearing. Check the mounts to be sure they are not damaged too.

 

[rdracer66]

Checked the transmission earlier this afternoon, checked it cold and it looked over full. But drove it about 10miles and checked it and it looks a quart low.
Color appears to be red when its on dipstick but when I clean it with white towel i can see brownish color. So I think that means I need to change it correct? I'm thinkin I can just drop the fluid and fill it back up not FLUSH it. Think I read somewhere to use Amsoil ? not sure if anyone around here carries that or not.
I'll see if I can get under the car tomorrow and see if anything is loose. The partial stalls are happening more now. Twice in the last 10miles not sure if it's electrical or not, I was unable to disable the alarm system it's an old clifford and its heavy duty meaning it has everything. According to clifford I disabled it correctly so I'm not sure what else can hold it I'll probably have to bring it to a car stereo place to have them look at it. Once that is disabled I hope that partial stall stops other wise have to start thinking it's something else.
O and that whirly/vibration noise coming come the center console is still there no matter cold or warm. Does not appear to be as loud in 4wd High