P0770 still throwing after new solenoids and new torque converter! Help!

[johnsoma73]

Hi guys,
I have a 2001 SR5 Auto 4WD and I got the dreaded P0770 CEL code and already pulled the trans and out In the three new small silver solenoids and a new torque converter and the code is still firing.
Only two options left seem to be swap the valve body from a junkyard truck, or swap the whole transmission.
Any thoughts on what may work to fix and stall the code?

Also, does changing the fourth and fifth solenoid on the valve body help?
Or perhaps cleaning the valve body? If so, who could clean it for me? Special mechanic or any trans shop?

How hard is the valve body to pull and swap? It seems like a lot of springs fallout behind it when you pull it off the trans? Are they hard to put back in or super easy?

Thanks for the help!
Mike


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[thegipper]

How many miles on that transmission? The 01/02 trannies are more prone to failure than the earlier models.

How is the transmission acting even with the code? Does it otherwise work fine or is it slipping and acting up?

 

[jgue467]

Mind generated a P0770 years ago, cleared it and it never returned, yet anyway.

Guessing you've already done all the FSM suggested items before replacing any parts? e.g. full fluid flush, connection cleaning, ect.

Just a quick search here yielded lots of articles, some interesting: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/223205-p0770-code-keeps-firing-need-help.html

Luck. :cowboy:

 

[johnsoma73]

It drives completely fine!
Doesn’t slip or overheat at all.
I changed the fluid and filter and did a flush after the new solenoids and new torque converter.
The damn code just won’t go away.

Should I change the whole valve body?
Get it cleaned?
Change the SLT or shift control solenoids?


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[MSRP.]

If it drives fine?
Drive until it stops driving fine, and don't drive too far from home if you do not have roadside assistance.

Truck is too old to throw money at it just so you don't have to stare at a code..

 

[absalom]

The 01/02 trannies are more prone to failure than the earlier models.

Is this true though? I've heard this occasionally, but see little to back it up. Obviously my sample size of 2x 01/02 trannies with 300+ miles is meaningless, but worth throwing out there.

 

[gamefreakgc]

If it drives completely fine, perhaps pull a junk yard valve body from a transmission and swap it out (might want to put your brand new solenoids on it though, it's easy).

The valve body is not hard to take out at all, it's just really messy. When you get all the bolts out, just bring it down straight and keep track of which springs where in what slots. Some will still be stuck up in the transmission, that's completely fine. I suggest getting some transmission lube and actually coat the tops of the springs to stick them back in the transmission so it's easier to put the valve body back in. Pay attention to torque specs though, you DO NOT WANT TO STRIP ANY BOLTS.

You will need a valve body from an 01-02 though, earlier years may not play as nice and will look different.

Here's a thread I used for the shift kit I installed with some photos: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/223578-transgo-340-hd2-install-reveiw.html

 

[johnsoma73]

If it drives completely fine, perhaps pull a junk yard valve body from a transmission and swap it out (might want to put your brand new solenoids on it though, it's easy).

The valve body is not hard to take out at all, it's just really messy. When you get all the bolts out, just bring it down straight and keep track of which springs where in what slots. Some will still be stuck up in the transmission, that's completely fine. I suggest getting some transmission lube and actually coat the tops of the springs to stick them back in the transmission so it's easier to put the valve body back in. Pay attention to torque specs though, you DO NOT WANT TO STRIP ANY BOLTS.

You will need a valve body from an 01-02 though, earlier years may not play as nice and will look different.

Here's a thread I used for the shift kit I installed with some photos: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/223578-transgo-340-hd2-install-reveiw.html

Thanks gamefreakgc!
That’s exactly what I was thinking of doing.
Getting a junkyard valve body and putting in my new solenoids.

When I put it into my truck, do the springs go in any particular way(I know correct order) but how do they go in? Just toss them in there with assembly line? Doesn’t matter the orientation?


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[gamefreakgc]

Thanks gamefreakgc!
That’s exactly what I was thinking of doing.
Getting a junkyard valve body and putting in my new solenoids.

When I put it into my truck, do the springs go in any particular way(I know correct order) but how do they go in? Just toss them in there with assembly line? Doesn’t matter the orientation?


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I can't remember which are which. You'll get a practice run with the junkyard transmission since you won't need them. Take a picture of the order they go in for reference for when you take apart your transmission.

 

[sleepydad]

Thanks gamefreakgc!
That’s exactly what I was thinking of doing.
Getting a junkyard valve body and putting in my new solenoids.

When I put it into my truck, do the springs go in any particular way(I know correct order) but how do they go in? Just toss them in there with assembly line? Doesn’t matter the orientation?


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You might find this useful?
A340 Series Repair Manual (RM216)

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...ad-file-report-back-if-works.html#post3156771

ITP also did a valve body vid
https://youtu.be/vZFwSP2TbTY

I have a couple of extra valve bodies but they are out of a 99 and 97, otherwise I would just send one and ask for shipping. It’s not hard to take the valve body out. The service manual has the lengths of the bolts listing in diagrams.

 

[thegipper]

Is this true though? I've heard this occasionally, but see little to back it up. Obviously my sample size of 2x 01/02 trannies with 300+ miles is meaningless, but worth throwing out there.

I don't think its a night and day difference between the 96-00 tranny's and the 01/02 tranny's but the 01/02's have been more prone to planetary/sun gear failure based on the reports on this forum and others.

Lets just say it's not enough of difference where I wouldn't buy an 01/02 because I was worried my tranny was going to blow up at 150k miles but there does appear to be more failures than the earlier model 3G's.

 

[BigIron53]

Song remains the same

My 02 2WD 4Runner is in the shop right now having the P0770 shift solenoid E code troubleshot. I have recently swapped in a new motor (old one blew) added a SC, 7th kit, headers, and a 2.2” pulley. As a precaution I sent my valve body to IPT for an upgrade, guy at IPT found a lot of metal shavings in it and said to send the tranny. Long story short, new motor, re-built/upgraded tranny, torque converter and upgraded valve body installed. Now I’m getting the code, the shop is conferencing with IPT today to try to figure it out.

 

[absalom]

I don't think its a night and day difference between the 96-00 tranny's and the 01/02 tranny's but the 01/02's have been more prone to planetary/sun gear failure based on the reports on this forum and others.

Lets just say it's not enough of difference where I wouldn't buy an 01/02 because I was worried my tranny was going to blow up at 150k miles but there does appear to be more failures than the earlier model 3G's.

Yup, that's the exact same weakness I see cited. But unlike LBJ failures, I've yet to see a single example. Certainly not suggesting they don't happen, just that I haven't seen them.

 

[thegipper]

Off the top of my head, I believe Infamous had his tranny go out (01/02) and I believe it was due to planetary gear failure, or at least that's what they thought (Tim and Sean).

 

[BigIron53]

Update

My 02 2WD 4Runner is in the shop right now having the P0770 shift solenoid E code troubleshot. I have recently swapped in a new motor (old one blew) added a SC, 7th kit, headers, and a 2.2” pulley. As a precaution I sent my valve body to IPT for an upgrade, guy at IPT found a lot of metal shavings in it and said to send the tranny. Long story short, new motor, re-built/upgraded tranny, torque converter and upgraded valve body installed. Now I’m getting the code, the shop is conferencing with IPT today to try to figure it out.

I just heard back from the techs who have been coordinating with IPT. Everything checks out just fine and they are thinking that the code is popping because of the size of the tires. I’m running 33” tires which throws off the speedometer. Since the tranny in my 02 only receives the same speed as the speedometer the computer is getting a miscompare and popping a code. Ever heard of it? Make sense?

 

[thegipper]

It would be the first time I've heard/read that code popping up from having larger than stock tires so it doesn't make any sense to me.

If that was the case, wouldn't every guy on here with an 01/02 with larger than stock tires be getting the same code?

 

[johnsoma73]

I just heard back from the techs who have been coordinating with IPT. Everything checks out just fine and they are thinking that the code is popping because of the size of the tires. I’m running 33” tires which throws off the speedometer. Since the tranny in my 02 only receives the same speed as the speedometer the computer is getting a miscompare and popping a code. Ever heard of it? Make sense?

BigIron53. Whoa, holy sh*t really!
I put 31s on mine and pretty soon after is when my 02 threw the P0770 code.
If it is because of that the whole time then that is crazy!
Is there a way to fix it??

Also, let’s say that’s not it and I just say f-it and keep driving it. What’s the worst that could happen? It just starts acting up and then I swap the tranny??

I’m torn, bc what if it is the tires?
Then I start throwing money at it when it may be totally fine.
I’ve already changed the solenoids and the torque converter. The valve body is the only thing left to change/rebuild.


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[Travisstorma]

How would the computer know that the speed was incorrect? Is there any GPS input near that year?

If there was a gear ratio change between factory and current several other manufacturers will post a code since the pulses per revolution doesn’t match up to the expected abs pulses. Not sure on Toyota.

However, just bigger tires will just cause your speed to be off, the systems will not know there is a difference.



Actually, since this is a torque converter code, it is possible the bigger tires are causing the engine to rev more than expected to get the vehicle moving and the computer could see that as slip and set the code.


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[BigIron53]

Two documents

These are two of the supporting documents. I don’t know what to think anymore.

 

[thegipper]

Interesting read, even though its for a Tundra I'd imagine it may still apply.

What is weird is you would think every single person who has larger than stock tires on their 01/02 would be getting this code. And if that was the case, you think it would be a well known and documented thing but this is first time I've heard/read that.

Did you recently put larger tires on the truck and is that about the time when the code started popping up?

And if your tranny is otherwise working fine, I wouldn't do anything else to it. No need to waste any more money/time if the tranny works fine just because of a code.