Anyone ever get CEL P0770?!

[99yota4]

Hey guys, after taking my runner out to the dunes, the ATF Oil Temp light came on so I let it cool for a good 20 minutes until it turned off while the motor was running. After that there was no problems and the truck drove fine. On the way home the CEL popped on and I thought it was the reoccurring P0420 but this time I was wrong and it was the P0770 and after looking it up it it said malfunction in shift solenoid "E". Nothing seems wrong with the performance of the truck so I was wondering if anyone has had this happen and how do I check for potential fixes?!

 

[Baja Runner]

Nothing seems wrong with it? If that is the case, then just reset the code, and see if it even comes back on.

I'd check the ATF level, make sure you don't have any coolant in there or anything...

If it pops back up you'll probably have to replace the solenoid which is accessible through the pan of the transmission.

 

[99yota4]

yeh nothing seems wrong and i did try clearing it. It has come back twice now. I'll be checking ATF levels and the radiator as well just to make sure. Didn't find a write up on how to replace the solenoids. Any references?

 

[jij0226]

After offroading in uwharrie, I pulled my 4runner into the gas station and it cut out on me. I turned the key, it started up fine, but as soon as I put in drive it died. I tried this several more times with no luck. We towed it back home pulled codes (p0100,p0110,p0120). I pulled and cleaned every sensor I could find, along with the throttle body. Started it up and put in gear and it died. I then started it up in 4 lo dropped the e brake and put it in drive and it drove fine. Took it out of 4 lo and it still drove fine. We drove it to a tranny shop just in case and they couldn't find any thing wrong. No codes came up at all. It's been driving fine ever since,(2 months) until the other day when it cut out on me as I was slowing down to stop. I put it in 4 lo drove forward a little and took it out of 4 lo and drove it home. I pulled code p0770 something about shift solenoid valve.

I read somewhere that over lubing your front driveshaft could cause a sort of hydro locking. I did lube the driveshaft before going off roading but it couldn't have been that much.

In the mean time I am planning on dropping the tranny pan, cleaning the filter, and replacing the solenoid.

 

[jij0226]

Just finished changing solenoid e. The fluid looked fine, but there was metal slivers clinging to the magnets in the pan. I didnt replace the filter, I just tried to clean it. It also had tiny pieces of metal in it. I don't think I was able to get them all out. I took it for a test drive afterwards and it drove fine. I plan on taking it for a 150 mile trip tomorrow to see how it does.

 

[jij0226]

My Problem occurred again last friday when going to my own wedding. I was slowing down to stop at a light and the engine shuddered and died. I put it in and out of 4lo maybe 7 to 8 times before it would let me drive in gear. So we decided to take it back to the shop and let them look at it.

 

[jij0226]

Well, I took the 4runner in yesterday to the transmission shop, and he couldn't find anything wrong. He says it sounds like a electrical problem with how intermittent the problem arises. So I broke down and took it to the dealership thinking they would be able to help as a last resort. THey told me after looking at it they could not find any of the codes in the computer's history, or recreate the problem that has been happening to me. So now I guess I just drive it until it happens again and tow it to them and let them figure it out, because I'm out of ideas.

 

[Saved]

Just finished changing solenoid e. The fluid looked fine, but there was metal slivers clinging to the magnets in the pan. I didnt replace the filter, I just tried to clean it. It also had tiny pieces of metal in it. I don't think I was able to get them all out. I took it for a test drive afterwards and it drove fine. I plan on taking it for a 150 mile trip tomorrow to see how it does.

You don't need a code to know that the time to rebuild is coming when there is metal in the pan. If it was shiny dust, which is normal, that would be different, but slivers means trouble coming. After the P0770 and you opened the pan and if you had found no shaving then it would probably be just a solenoid. However since you found shavings you probably have a blockage and a clutch is not engaging properly or dis-engaging properly. Either way it needs to be torn down and fixed. You might get away for while with a serious pressure flush and new filter, but that will not fix where the shavings came from and they will return and it will get worst so it is best to fix it now if you have the money. be sure to replace the torque converter when you do it.

 

[jij0226]

You don't need a code to know that the time to rebuild is coming when there is metal in the pan. If it was shiny dust, which is normal, that would be different, but slivers means trouble coming. After the P0770 and you opened the pan and if you had found no shaving then it would probably be just a solenoid. However since you found shavings you probably have a blockage and a clutch is not engaging properly or dis-engaging properly. Either way it needs to be torn down and fixed. You might get away for while with a serious pressure flush and new filter, but that will not fix where the shavings came from and they will return and it will get worst so it is best to fix it now if you have the money. be sure to replace the torque converter when you do it.

I don't think finding metal shavings in my pan automatically means I need to rebuild my tranny, and plus its not daily driver so I figure I can wait and see what happens. It shifts great no funny smelling fluid, and has never given me a problem. I have taken it to two different tranny shops and the toyota dealer and they tell me its operating normal, and until they or I can recreate the lockup that I have gotten 3 times in the past 3 months then there is nothing they can really do to diagnose the problem. As far as it not being the solenoid, I have driven over 1000 miles since I replaced the solenoid and the code has not come back.

My plans are to drive it around this weekend to get it to lockup and tow it to my mechanic.