Just Curious....

[Ham Sammich]

Had something interesting happen to me today while wheeling.....I was heading up a long steep grade on an old logging road.. about a 2000' gain in elevation....in about 20" of crusty semi-packed snow...Had to keep a steady pedal for about 2 miles (NEED LOCKERS)...anyway, I was maintaining @ 2000 RPM for that time and I noticed the AT temp light come on.....I was at the summit, so I decided to shut 'er down to cool off while I go tromping off after fresh moose tracks...

About 45 min later, I get back to the truck and try to start her up.....tries to fire up and dies.....crank it again...same thing.

Pop the hood and the engine is still pretty hot, so I decide to let it cool down some more. After about 1:15 of cooling, I popped the neg cable of the bat to reset the computer, climb back in, crank it, and she sputters at first, then assumes a healthy idle...

No problems before or since, it's running fine now.

Anybody have any ideas as to why it acted like that?

 

[A10MileHusker]

Had something interesting happen to me today while wheeling.....I was heading up a long steep grade on an old logging road.. about a 2000' gain in elevation....in about 20" of crusty semi-packed snow...Had to keep a steady pedal for about 2 miles (NEED LOCKERS)...anyway, I was maintaining @ 2000 RPM for that time and I noticed the AT temp light come on.....I was at the summit, so I decided to shut 'er down to cool off while I go tromping off after fresh moose tracks...

About 45 min later, I get back to the truck and try to start her up.....tries to fire up and dies.....crank it again...same thing.

Pop the hood and the engine is still pretty hot, so I decide to let it cool down some more. After about 1:15 of cooling, I popped the neg cable of the bat to reset the computer, climb back in, crank it, and she sputters at first, then assumes a healthy idle...

No problems before or since, it's running fine now.

Anybody have any ideas as to why it acted like that?

I dont know 3rd Gens, but the same thing happened to me going up a hill in 4hi. Stopped, shut her down, ate, and switched it to 4lo and nothing.

With mine, the v8 is a lot of power going when you're just going up a hill and it causes stress on the engine if you dont switch it to 4lo (this being while off roading). If you have the option, go 4lo! I RARELY offroad in 4hi. Only time i did this time was because I forgot to switch it when we aired down. :ybrick:

 

[024RunnerSE]

Automatics hate heat. Do the truck a favor and just use 4low before you fry your clutches.

 

[brian2sun]

Sounds like an aux. tranny cooler would be a very good thing for you. Very common mod, lots of info on yotatech. I'd suggest inspecting/changing the tranny fluid asap. Once it gets that hot, the ATF is probably burnt to hell. And strawberry milkshake ATF is no good.

 

[Ham Sammich]

Yeah, I was in 4hi the whole time.....I was having so much fun climbing the hill, I wasn't giving anything else much thought:guitar2:

Thanks for the replies, I didn't know if this was a common problem or not...In order to build trust with the truck, I tend to push the envelope a little to see what its limitations are..

I'll def change out the fluids and slap on a tranny cooler (was on the list anyways with the SC)...

 

[Ham Sammich]

Did you look to see if your air intake may have gotten clogged with snow? I think there was a thread on here a few weeks ago where someones truck wouldn't start after romping around in the snow. It turned out his air filter was packed full of snow and suffocating the engine not allowing it to start.

I never would have thought of that....thanks! Another one to put on the checklist..

Drained and replaced some of my tranny fluid this morning...pretty cooked, but I've seen worse.....cooler is on the way.....

Part of me wants to head back up that hill (in 4lo) to see if I can replicate the problem....I do alot of off-roading alone (I know, I know) so I need to find the weaknesses of this particular truck before I take it in the REMOTE woods...

I should say that, so far, my '97 has far exceeded my expectations...I really can't wait to get a set of lockers!!

 

[techno]

Pushing through 20" of snow is a pretty good work out for the auto, especially in high range. I'm betting it was a combo of 4hi, steep hill and possibly snow blocked radiator. Surprisingly, over heating in the snow is just as common as when in high temperatures and stuck in traffic.
Like you said, try the hill again in low range (and take some pics too ). And do another tranny fluid change after since there's a lot that stays in the system when you just drain the sump.

 

[quicksilvr]

Pushing through 20" of snow is a pretty good work out for the auto, especially in high range. I'm betting it was a combo of 4hi, steep hill and possibly snow blocked radiator. Surprisingly, over heating in the snow is just as common as when in high temperatures and stuck in traffic.
Like you said, try the hill again in low range (and take some pics too ). And do another tranny fluid change after since there's a lot that stays in the system when you just drain the sump.

x2 on the pics! Sounds like fun. Get 'er back out there!

 

[Ham Sammich]

Went back up yesterday afternoon...no problems, especially since I already blazed a trail to the top....I'll have to find another virgin trail...

Yeah, I'm draining the tranny fluid 4 qts at a time between every 100 miles until clean...

I really am amazed by this truck....it dutifully forges ahead wherever I point it (within reason, of course!!)...went through some fairly technical sections (deep, mud followed by snow covered rocks) yesterday where I thought for sure I'd get hung up or at least ding a rocker...(had a trail partner, just in case)...no issues...I can see why you all love these trucks! With lockers and armor, this DD will get me anywhere I care to go..

I promise to take some more pics...been meaning to get an extra camera for the trail bag..