99 T4R V6 Auto - Highway Gearing? 4th Gear?

[Choppa_Mike]

My first post on this board:

Just a quick intro, my name is Mike. I am a helicopter engineer up in British Columbia, Canada. Got my 99 4Runner a little while ago and the only thing that is not perfect as of now is my Automatic Transmission at Highway Speeds:

-All other gear ranges and shift points are acceptable

-From 80KM-100KM per hour and I have reached the final gear which leaves me at 3000RPM at 100KM per hour. Which doesn't make sense in my opinion and it feels as if I should have one gear left.

-ECT button is not depressed and Overdrive is in its normal position(not illuminated)

With all the above conditions it is almost as if one of these features is not allowing my transmission to shift into 4th gear even if they indicate they aren't interfering.

The 4runner has been acting like this since I got it but Recent Maintenance Includes:

-Mass airflow sensor cleaning
-Throttle Body Cleaning
-New air filter
-ATF change
-Oil change/Filter
-Fuel Filter Change
-Rear differential Fluid change.

Any Ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[atxrunner]

you should be able to count the shifts how many are you getting? if you turn OD off do your rpm's go up?

 

[Choppa_Mike]

I will confirm on the drive home.

 

[Srabai]

How cold is it up there in Canada? You might want to take a look at the thermostat/coolant temp sensor. Sometimes a faulty sensor or constant open thermostat wont allow the motor to operate at the normal temp causing the transmission to not hit it's final gear.

 

[Bama_Runner]

I checked my RPMs last night and you definitely have an issue. My RPMs at 100km in overdrive are 1750. If I turn off overdrive they are at 2600. For the record I'm 2WD but I think the gear ratios are the same.

 

[SteelRunner]

welcome from a fellow new canuck member.

what size tires are you running? probably isnt the issue but may play a factor.

Also, is it a limited?

 

[KidVermicious]

I checked my RPMs last night and you definitely have an issue. My RPMs at 100km in overdrive are 1750. If I turn off overdrive they are at 2600. For the record I'm 2WD but I think the gear ratios are the same.

Tire size will make a difference though, and if your 2wd trans is geared different than the 4wd trans that'd make a difference too.

OP, plug your info into here: Metric Gear Ratio Calculator. That'll tell you if your RPMs are correct or not.

 

[Choppa_Mike]

Im an sr5. Driving in 2wd but it has 4x4. Im running 265-70-16. Od doesnt seem to change how the transmission acts. Which leads me to believe it not allowing something.

 

[Choppa_Mike]

Overdrive solenoid?

Ps. No cel illuminated

 

[Bama_Runner]

Tire size will make a difference though, and if your 2wd trans is geared different than the 4wd trans that'd make a difference too.

OP, plug your info into here: Metric Gear Ratio Calculator. That'll tell you if your RPMs are correct or not.

2WD trans (A340E) and 4WD trans (A340F) have the same gear ratios.
1st - 2.804
2nd - 1.531
3rd - 1
4th - .705

 

[Choppa_Mike]

I am thinking I have a faulty ECT sensor so im gonna hook it up to an obd II computer and see if i can pick up a problem with the sensor, if so ill replace it.

Anyone done this replacement before? link?

 

[Choppa_Mike]

So i had a pretty long go on the highway and through and the overdrive button didnt have any effect on any driving situation(no change in revs). The engine never shifted into 4th gear, the temp was below half way after 20 minutes of driving on the highway. 3000rpm at 100km.

Any further suggestions?
-Coolant temp sensor
-o2 Sensor?