A/T Light on and transmission slipping

jeredcollins

jeredcollins

New member
I have 111,000 miles on my 4runner and bought it when it had 98,500. Not sure of the vehicles history in regards to transmission maintenance from the previous owner. Im about 90% certain the transmission was serviced at around 75,000 miles.

I barely limped home today going 30Mph top speed. Trying to go any faster the engine would rev all the way up. The transmission light popped on too eventually and I could smell a pretty strong oil burn smell. I’ve never had this issue before and was curious if anyone else has ha da similar experience and what they did to fix it.

Thanks in advance.
 
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Pull the dipstick and note the color. Milky red is bad.

Then run engine and properly check the trans fluid oil level.


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LittleCaesar said:
Is the money light on besides the A/T light?
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Money light? Not familiar with that.

The A/T oil light came on for a little bit as went off.

*** Update *** Attempted to drive several hours after vehicle was parked and now it will not drive at all. Engine just revs in drive and reverse. Transmission oil was brown and smelled burnt. Levels looked a little high too. I’m thinking my transmission is toast. Is flushing it, given it won’t engage in drive or reverse going to help at all?
 
jeredcollins said:
Money light? Not familiar with that.

The A/T oil light came on for a little bit as went off.

*** Update *** Attempted to drive several hours after vehicle was parked and now it will not drive at all. Engine just revs in drive and reverse. Transmission oil was brown and smelled burnt. Levels looked a little high too. I’m thinking my transmission is toast. Is flushing it, given it won’t engage in drive or reverse going to help at all?
Click to expand...

He's talking about the CEL light.

I would think it's the torque converter based on what you're saying. You could TRY and drop the pan, see what the magnets look like, replace filter and refil pan. Then do a complete fluid exchange through the cooler lines and see what happens. You've got nothing to lose at this point.
 
To state the obvious (sorry), when the AT light comes on you should pull over in the shade, turn the engine off and let the truck sit and cool for 10 or 15 mins. Don't drive with the AT light on if you can avoid it.

I hope everything turns out ok for you.
 
Last edited:
BrianSD_42 said:
To state the obvious (sorry), when the AT light comes on you should pull over in the shade, turn the engine off and let the truck sit and cool for 10 or 15 mins. Don't drive with the AT light on if you can avoid it.

I hope everything turns out ok for you.
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Yea I pulled over immediately once I saw it happen. Based on the limited feedback I’ve received thus far in the thread I can only assume it’s the worse. Just odd to me that it was driving completely normal earlier in the day and within a 1 hr timeframe of driving everything went downhill. No slippage in the past ever and now it won’t pull in drive or reverse.
 
You could pull the pan and see if there are any shaving in the pan. I have to ask what color is the fluid?

Try starting it in N, put it the lowest gear and see if you can move forward. If going with my gut I would say the torque converter is no more.
 
LittleCaesar said:
You could pull the pan and see if there are any shaving in the pan. I have to ask what color is the fluid?

Try starting it in N, put it the lowest gear and see if you can move forward. If going with my gut I would say the torque converter is no more.
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The color is brown, smells burnt. The engine starts with no problem. If I engage the transmission from N to D it just revs up and no pulling at all from the transmission. Essentially N and D do the same thing now.
 
Usually when the Torque converter fails it takes out the entire transmission from the metal going everywhere in the system.


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19963.4lsr5 said:
Usually when the Torque converter fails it takes out the entire transmission from the metal going everywhere in the system.


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Click to expand...

That was my fear. Probably looking at $2,500-$4,000 to get the replacement parts and labor I’m guessing. Don’t have the time or wherewithal to do myself
 
You may get lucky and just need a new TC and a good flush. But that will be up to the tranny shop to decide.

Let us know how it turns out.
 
LittleCaesar said:
You may get lucky and just need a new TC and a good flush. But that will be up to the tranny shop to decide.

Let us know how it turns out.
Click to expand...

Yea, I’m hoping that’s all it needs.

I got quoted for a used transmission with 88k on it for $950 with free shipping from a reputable transmission website. Includes transmission and TC
 
jeredcollins said:
Yea, I’m hoping that’s all it needs.

I got quoted for a used transmission with 88k on it for $950 with free shipping from a reputable transmission website. Includes transmission and TC
Click to expand...

That's weird this happened all of a sudden without warning. IMO you're only hope is to drain the fluid, clean the magnets, and reinstall. One word of advise, don't travel too far from home after doing this. I did this 3 times to mine when it happened and every time it would drive great for about 30 minutes and then start slipping again. Every time i dropped the pan it was caked with debris again (transmission clutch material i assume). I finally gave up and replaced it

That said, it sounds like a good price for a tranny with that low of miles. You may try this site too:

Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

You may have a tranny you can find on here closer to you and maybe save some money too. Plan on about $500-$800 for the installation if that would you end up doing. Best of luck to you, been there done that...it sucks
 
Scramble said:
That sounds like too much. Is that from a Toyota dealer? A good trans shop should be in the $2000 range.
Click to expand...

Reman transmission w/ 3 yr warranty unlimited mileage and $110/hr labor = $2,900

Labor = $900

Tax = $200

If you are getting a used transmission from a salvage yard you could save maybe 1-2k but the warranty really isn’t there and you really don’t know what you’re getting.
 
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