99 transmission issues

[Beagle(4)Runner]

I have a 99 with 216,000 miles. Off and on for the last few weeks, when it is real cold, when my son would put the vehicle in R or D, it would just sit and rev for a few seconds and then would sluggishly start to move. I checked the fluids, all good, checked the rear axle seals to see if they were leaking and causing rear brakes to stick, all looked good. Once it warmed up, it would run fine. So today, when he was leaving school, he was on a slight upgrade and when he went to go, it revved to 4000rpm, then he said it was as though he dumped the clutch, except it is an automatic. After that, it would go but not shift. I called a local mechanic who i trust and he said the hesitation was most likely due to seals getting cold and shrinking and once it warmed up, they would swell back up. He said when it went today, it probably broke something internally. He said will most likely need a new transmission.

So when i called the local salvage shop, they asked if it was Cali or Fed emissions. My question is why does that matter for the transmission.

 

[ajonesnv]

I have a 99 with 216,000 miles. Off and on for the last few weeks, when it is real cold, when my son would put the vehicle in R or D, it would just sit and rev for a few seconds and then would sluggishly start to move. I checked the fluids, all good, checked the rear axle seals to see if they were leaking and causing rear brakes to stick, all looked good. Once it warmed up, it would run fine. So today, when he was leaving school, he was on a slight upgrade and when he went to go, it revved to 4000rpm, then he said it was as though he dumped the clutch, except it is an automatic. After that, it would go but not shift. I called a local mechanic who i trust and he said the hesitation was most likely due to seals getting cold and shrinking and once it warmed up, they would swell back up. He said when it went today, it probably broke something internally. He said will most likely need a new transmission.

So when i called the local salvage shop, they asked if it was Cali or Fed emissions. My question is why does that matter for the transmission.

I don't think it actually matters. I was asked the same question, I'm quite positive the Cali will be more expensive though.

 

[TheDurk]

I don't think it actually matters. I was asked the same question, I'm quite positive the Cali will be more expensive though.

Well, different p/n's, so they have to ask:

35000 TRANSMISSION ASSY, AUTOMATIC
35000-3D550 1 $5,093.87
35000-3D770 CALIFORNIA SPEC REFER TO FIG17-09 (PNC11298) (07/1998 - 07/1999) 1 $5,093.87

But I have no idea what the actual difference is. The Fig. referred to above are the labels under the hood.

 

[Robb235]

Take a look at your exhaust pipe. Do you have one catalytic converter or two? If one, then you have Federal spec. If two, you have California spec. Why this matters for the transmission... I have no idea.

 

[Beagle(4)Runner]

So the big question is are they interchangeable

 

[Beagle(4)Runner]

According to the sticker under the hood, it is a cali. Will a transmission for a federal work. I can get it for half the price of a cali one.

 

[ajonesnv]

Well, different p/n's, so they have to ask:

For sure...they ask if you have 4wd when buying wiper blades

According to the sticker under the hood, it is a cali. Will a transmission for a federal work. I can get it for half the price of a cali one.

Mine is a Fed, so I was able to forgo needing and answer to the question...if you know anyone else with the same year 3rd that is a Fed you can compare.

 

[Beagle(4)Runner]

Ok another question. I have found one out of a 98, will it fit in my 5/99

 

[TheDurk]

For sure...they ask if you have 4wd when buying wiper blades

That's actually different. To drill down to a frame code, they need Rwd/4wd, 2.7/3.4, auto/5spd, and finish level: LULI, SR5B,SR5V, etc.--regardless of what the part is. Cali/Fed is NOT a separate frame code. They show the parts side-by-side within the same frame codes, so you only need to know Cali/Fed when there are different parts for the two applications.

Sorry for the serious answer to the joking response...but some may find the above of interest.

It occurred to me that if there were a difference, it would most likely be electrical, and if there were, it would be shown in my 1999 EWD. So I checked, and the only electrical difference is an extra ground wire from the manifold to the ECU--no explanation of what it is for. Since you would not be swapping ECU's, this means there is zero electrical difference between the two transmissions.

So that wasn't it. I took a quick scan through the part listings and it turns out the only Cali.-only p/n's are the pan and the fill/gauge tube. So if you can use your old pan and gauge/fill tube, you ought to be able to turn a Fed into a Cali.

I assume this is because the location of the gauge tube interfered with the two-cat exhaust footprint.

There are no guarantees as I have not tried this, in fact I know jackall about slushboxes as I am a MTM guy since my first car a long time ago. I can barely drive them and rarely answer questions about them. So this opinion is worth what you paid for it.

I am confident you will have a problem with the Fed gauge pan and tube on a Cali.--I just won't guarantee it is the ONLY problem, but I think it is.

35103 GAGE SUB-ASSY, TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL
35103-34060 CALIFORNIA SPEC REFER TO FIG17-09 (PNC11298) 1 $20.08
35103-35350 1 $27.95

35106 PAN SUB-ASSY, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL
35106-35100 1 $151.82
35106-35110 CALIFORNIA SPEC REFER TO FIG17-09 (PNC11298) 1 $141.42

35013 TUBE SUB-ASSY, TRANSMISSION OIL FILLER
35013-34060 CALIFORNIA SPEC REFER TO FIG17-09 (PNC11298) 1 $68.24
35013-35290 1 $59.58

The '98 would be exactly the same case as the '99, as I get the same two p/n's for the whole trans in '98. Problem with the pan and tube, but otherwise good.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I'd ask the mechanic to take a look at the torque converter first. What he should do is drop the pan and see how many shavings have been picked up by the magnets.

If there had been no slipping beforehand nor if there isn't a check engine light on (possibly indicating failed solenoids), then as long as the fluid isn't burnt I doubt it is the tranny IMHO.

Get it to a shop to inspect before buying a transmission.

 

[Beagle(4)Runner]

Does anyone else have an opinion or experience with putting a federal transmission in a california vehicle

 

[a216vcti]

Does anyone else have an opinion or experience with putting a federal transmission in a california vehicle

I have an 05/99 4wd cali emissions and had a trans blow out in the same manner. Wouldn't move after shifting in to D or R or 1 or 2. I was able to put a 96 fed emissions trans in and it worked perfectly fine. I put about 8k miles on it so far and it seems to have no problems related to the trans. FYI, I paid about $350 for the used trans. Found it through car-part.com. I'm not sure which oil pan it needs since I mangled up my stock oil pan. The pan that came with the used trans was mangled too, so I had to buy another pan as well. Afterwards, I never compared the pans. Make sure your guy uses a new trans filter.

I just noticed you're on the east coast. Depending on how far away you are from me, I'd be willing to help you install the trans. It's pretty simple.

 

[Beagle(4)Runner]

I have an 05/99 4wd cali emissions and had a trans blow out in the same manner. Wouldn't move after shifting in to D or R or 1 or 2. I was able to put a 96 fed emissions trans in and it worked perfectly fine. I put about 8k miles on it so far and it seems to have no problems related to the trans. FYI, I paid about $350 for the used trans. Found it through car-part.com. I'm not sure which oil pan it needs since I mangled up my stock oil pan. The pan that came with the used trans was mangled too, so I had to buy another pan as well. Afterwards, I never compared the pans. Make sure your guy uses a new trans filter.

I just noticed you're on the east coast. Depending on how far away you are from me, I'd be willing to help you install the trans. It's pretty simple.

Thanks for the info and the offer, looks like you are about 6-7 hours away from me though.

If anyone else has any input, i would like to hear it. Thanks

 

[Beagle(4)Runner]

I finally got it back today. I ended up getting a 1998 Federal transmission with 120,000 miles on it from a local salvage yard. Drove it home today, about 45 miles of interstate and secondary roads and there is no noticeable difference. My son put another 35 miles on just out enjoying the fresh snow and did not feel there was a difference. Thanks everyone for your input and help.

 

[a216vcti]

Good for you! Congrats!