97 Limited with 190k holds shift from 1-2 when cold

[Stretch1100]

When I bought this truck a few months back I had the tranny fluid exchange done on it. The guy said the fluid wasn't bad at all that was in it but I wanted it done. I then drained a bit and put the Lucas tranny additive in it since I tow my boat a lot. As I've never driven this when cold before I'm now noticing this issue. It only does it when it's cold and typically only from 1st to second shift it holds the shift longer than normal before it does finally shift. After it shifts I never have any other problems and shifts like a champ. I've checked the tranny level and it's right on the money. Any ideas? Is this maybe a bad solenoid that's slow to shift when cold or do the T4R's just shift this way?

 

[Beach Runner]

I've got a 96 and I've done the flush as well. Mine does exactly the same thing you are describing. I normally let it warm-up before I hit the road, but if I have to leave right away I just take it easy for the first mile or so and by then it usually shifts fine. Curious as to what others have to say about this.

 

[Rwperlaki]

My 97 sr5 shifts like that untill it warms up never realy botherd me don't know if its a problem or not would like to know if some one can share some info on this

 

[Stretch1100]

I know on the older BMW's they're actually designed to do this as it helps bring the tranny up to operating temperature. Don't know if our tranny computer is that sophisticated.

 

[Rwperlaki]

I work for a trans shop and aculy there are a lot of cars that are designed to hold shift till the car can warm up faster in colder climates some cars will not shift over drive just to warm it up faster just don't know if the 4runner is like that never once ever had a toyota truck trans to rebuild they last to long lol

 

[nilson]

Mine does it too... I'd say it's normal behavior.

 

[Brutus]

Mine does it too. I don't worry about it, it's a Toyota!

 

[LittleCaesar]

This is the one thing that I hate with the 4runner; that it why it is driven probably less than 2000 miles during the winter here in VA. It takes the coolant to get to 128~130 degrees before it shifts out of 2nd or getting the engine up to at least 2600 rpms. ATF temperature has no relevance to my knowledge. But I don't think the A340 is being harmed in any way.

For those who postulate that this is normal, I say otherwise. If it was, then Toyota would have been able to sell zero 4runners off the lot. It is more like being able to put up or live with such now.

Having owned mine since 06, I began to get this problem in 09. Before then, no problem shifting, even at below zero. So I am guessing it is possibly a solenoid, a sensor, or something else having gone bad with time, ultimately providing info to the ECU to prevent the tranny from shifting.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

As others have said, it's normal.

 

[MTDewX8]

I have a 5spd so I dont have that problem, but on teh same note. I have a 00 Yukon XL does the same thing. girl friend says' something is wrong. fluid looks good so I say just drive it. let it warm up if you can and drive.

 

[cj80cruiser]

My 80 series LC did it along with many other 80 series owners reporting the same thing. I haven't worried about it on the 4runner assuming it's just a Toyota thing.

 

[98_4runnerSR5]

Normal. Mine does it too... Tranny fluid has to warm up before it shifts out of 1st to 2nd. No problems.

 

[liv2bike]

Mine does the exact same thing, only on initial cold start then shifts completely normal. I usually let her warm up before I take off.

 

[Rwperlaki]

I'm sorry I have to disagree with people saying its a solinoid. Solinoids don't need time to warm up and if it was bad it would do it all the time. My own opinion is that its a valve sticking in the valve body when the trans is cold.