New member, Auto Transmission issue?

[Readonly]

I am going today to look at a 1990 4Runner I found on craigslist. The owner claims it has a leaking front main seal, which I don't have a problem replacing. But he also says it has a transmission problem. He says it shifts hard into 3rd gear. I have only owned manual cars and have never had to deal with automatic issues before. I've been searching the forums here looking for solutions to such a problem that doesn't involve replacing the entire transmission.

I was hoping someone with experience could chime in and steer me in the right direction for trouble shooting. I was going to start with the following:

1) Transmission ground
2) Throttle position sensor (I've read this effects shifting)
3) ECM (module under the center of the dash. Not sure how to diagnose this one)


The owner is asking $1300, which seems reasonable.

Here is the posting:

Good:
-160k miles
- Brand spankin new alternator with lifetime warrant
- Only 18k miles on the tires!
- hardly any rust for a 1990
- 4x4 works amazing
- Gets 22mpg highway/17mpg city
- ECT buttton works wonders for towing
-Pioneer am/fm cd player
- Power Locks and Windows
- Newer Plugs and wires
- Newer Battery.
- Good full size spare tire that was never used
- Rear window rolls down!


Bad:
- Leaks a little oil from front main seal
- auto tranny shifts kinda hard into 3rd gear only, but always shifts.
-Needs tailpipe (rusted off) so its a little loud, but not horrible



1990 toyota 4runner $1300 OBO

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[the_dingman]

If it weren't for the great shape (in Wisconsin of all places... Go Packers), and the good price I'd recommend steering clear...

Some transmission problems can be caused by the throttle position sensor (so I'm told, as has been brought up in other recent posts). The question is does it shift late, or can you feel it mechanically having a hard time going into gear?

If it's mechanical, prepare yourself to need a new transmission. With that, you may be able to talk him down. I bought my '87 3 years back with a great body, and talked the guy down from $1,200 to $800 because it was obvious that the transmission needed to be replaced. If you point that out, and have cash in hand, you may be able to get it for less.

Edit:

Also, things to know:

- 22RE is a great, reliable engine. Very underpowered, especially with an auto trans. Think top speed of ~80, ~45 up big hills.
- Don't expect to tow much (he mentions it in the ad). I took a U-Haul 5'x8' box trailer a few months back up to Stevens Point, and couldn't break 55 on the interstate with it empty.

 

[Vanderzz]

I have a 1990 Toyota 4Runner, its an automatic sadly and has a lot of trouble shifting into 5th gear, it will rev about 3500-4000 rpm in fourth then finally shift into 5th. Just wondering if you have any idea why?