Seemingly Major Transmission Issue :(

[nowashburn]

97 6cyl 4x4 4Runner, 200k miles... Drove 65 miles in 102 degree weather yesterday to go to the beach, just about 2 blocks away from the water my transmission seemingly just completely failed I was driving about 25mph and then no power, the rpms would go up when hitting the gas but the truck would go nowhere. I immediately pulled over and called for a tow.

About 20 mins later the tow truck showed up and I explained to him what happened. He asked if the transmission showed signs of slipping before and honestly, it had not. In fact, I was even doing some light trail riding the past weekend, went though some mud, climbed some hills in 4x4, no signs of slipping at all. Out of curiosity, the tow guy asked if he could take a look for himself, sure, fine by me. Sure enough, he starts the truck up, put it in drive and wouldn't you know, everything seemed fine. What the heck?! I took the 4Runner for a 10 min drive around to see if the problem would happen again as the tow guy waited. Everything seemed fine again, no signs of slipping at all. The tow guy now thinks I'm an idiot and says I probably had the truck in neutral and didn't know it. Mistakes do happen, but I assure you that wasn't the issue. The tow truck leaves and I go on my own way.

10 - 15 minutes later (I decided to get a bite to eat after that instead of going on the beach first) same thing happens. I pull over again and make sure I'm definitely not in neutral. Sure enough, I am not and my buddy who was with me even double checked. I call for a tow and 20 minutes later the same guy arrives. He starts the truck up, put it in drive, and everything seems fine again. What the heck!? Anyhow, unwilling to abuse the 4Runner I have it tow it 65 miles back to my local mechanic shop where it is now. Actually, he even drove the truck up onto the flatbed. The tow guy was actually a pretty cool cat, but I don't think he believes me at this point. Oh well.

The mechanic shop is closed today being a Sunday but I went up there to check on the truck and sure enough, she fired right up, went into gear and didn't slip at all in my little test spin. I am by no means a mechanic but this seems odd to me, what the heck could be going on? Although it was really hot yesterday the 4Runner was not in the overheating range at all. I've owned Toyotas my whole life and this is the first time one has left me stranded

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I'd start with simple things, fluid level and quality. Seems like it gets hot, slips and then when it cools down it works again. Perhaps the fluid is getting too hot. Might be a torque converter. Might even be something stupid like a solenoid.

 

[nowashburn]

two years later

Unfortunately, time to ressurect a really old post. Since the original incident I have flushed the tranny fluid and have only driven the truck locally for recreational use. Only 3k has been put on it since the original post. Now..... Almost a year later after forgetting the original incident and having confidence again in the yota, I took it for a fishing trip 50 miles away. Just as I arrive, deja vu!

Same exact story... I tow it back, 2 mechanics think I'm nuts and the thing seems fine. Of course their test drive isn't 50k, but come on. I'm by no means a mechanic but I can clearly see why they think I'm nuts, it drives and shifts like a brand new vehicle even when driving for an extended test drive. I love this truck, feels great, looks great, what the heck could possibly be going on?

 

[JohnsD90]

Pitbull have you some suggestions before, I would tell the mechanic exactly what you told us and ask her what she thinks it could be.

 

[SilentYoda3]

sunds like fluid or even the gear selector unit, one went out on my bronco and caused the same issue. Intermittent working. I think the part for the bronco was like $40, they get old and wear out. Also flush and refill the fluid, when my bronco had a tranny cooler tube start leaking and I didn't realize it, the damn thing spit itself dry and wouldn't budge, at all.

IF I WERE YOU, i would first flush the tranny fluid and refill to the proper level. (maybe you're a hair on one side or the other and it gets touchy at certain times, not sure, but it's the cheaper of the options so try it first.)
IF the problem persists, I would suggest checking the transmission control control solenoid.
go to rockauto.com and look up the part number #TCS33 and the manufacture is STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS
it's $167 from them. cheaper than anywhere else.

best of luck bud.

 

[kball]

When it happens you say it will rev and not move. Is it revving freely? Or does it sound like there's some load on the engine? Next time it happens shift through the gears and put it into L and see if that makes a difference. If it does I'd say it's a solenoid issue or possibly and weak battery or charging system issue as I've read that can sometimes effect how the trans works. No check engine or other lights?

 

[nowashburn]

When it happens you say it will rev and not move. Is it revving freely? Or does it sound like there's some load on the engine? Next time it happens shift through the gears and put it into L and see if that makes a difference. If it does I'd say it's a solenoid issue or possibly and weak battery or charging system issue as I've read that can sometimes effect how the trans works. No check engine or other lights?

Is seems to be revving freely, shifting through the gears seems to make difference at all. no check engine lights. This last time it was MUCH MUCH colder outside and and worked normally after letting it sit for 15 mins.

 

[BTO]

Thinking outside the box here.

Could it be the rear brakes locking up? I've read of posts where 4runners would do this and even if you reved it the truck would not move.

 

[nowashburn]

Thinking outside the box here.

Could it be the rear brakes locking up? I've read of posts where 4runners would do this and even if you revved it the truck would not move.

I don't think thats the case because as the previous comment states, it seems to rev 'freely' and when it acts up it doesnt go in and out of gear. It's as if the whole transmission is just shot. Let it cool down again and sit.... it'll feel brand new. I can drive to the store, around town, even do some light trail riding with no issues. I honestly thought the issue was solved when I flushed the tranny fluid and have even done some pulling of a small landscape trailer, pulled a friend out of the mud, and even some light climbing. The was plenty of power, torque, and no signs of slipping. Take it on a 50 mile trip though and you'll be stranded.

 

[SilentYoda3]

I don't think thats the case because as the previous comment states, it seems to rev 'freely' and when it acts up it doesnt go in and out of gear. It's as if the whole transmission is just shot. Let it cool down again and sit.... it'll feel brand new. I can drive to the store, around town, even do some light trail riding with no issues. I honestly thought the issue was solved when I flushed the tranny fluid and have even done some pulling of a small landscape trailer, pulled a friend out of the mud, and even some light climbing. The was plenty of power, torque, and no signs of slipping. Take it on a 50 mile trip though and you'll be stranded.

solenoid as previously stated is where you should start then.