New guy has issue with 94

[Steven94]

Hello all.

I Have a 94 4runner that has a shifting problem. It is however not a transmission issue. I noticed it at the beginning of last winter when it started to feel more sluggish and it didn't want to shift into 4th gear/over drive (it is an automatic). I have a mechanic friend who has been helping me, but since he does not have a shop we have not gotten it all figured out yet. As we were going over what could be wrong, he thought of the coolant temperature sensor. So he pulled it out and the thing was so corroded he easily broke it in half with his fingers. We got it replaced and it helped, but still has not entirely fixed the problem.

Now it will shift and drive fine when the engine is at temp, but it takes about 10 minuets of driving before it gets to that point. Also every once in a while even if the engine is at temp and it has been driving fine, it will all of a sudden go back to not working properly. This usually happens on the freeway. If I turn my heater on it will start working again, but I live in AZ and it is almost summer so driving with my heater on isn't go to be a great idea.

Any info you can give me will help. Thanks!

 

[fourwd1]

Also every once in a while even if the engine is at temp and it has been driving fine, it will all of a sudden go back to not working properly. ... If I turn my heater on it will start working again,

Turning the heat on should make the coolant temp drop, which if anything, should make the OD shut off, not come on.

Have you checked the ECM for any error codes?

Another thing that comes to mind is a bad OD solenoid.