Tranny problem

[FalkorF350]

Hi guys. I'm new to this forum and new to Toyota. I just bought a 1997 runner for my wife for the winter and need some help. It just passed 150k miles and every now and then(mostly when cold) my tranny will not shift out of first. I have tried manually doing it but no luck. I am planning on flushing out the fluid and changing the filter. Is there anything else I should be concerned with? Thanks in advance!

 

[HCurphy]

The tranny holds the gears on cold starts untill the ATF reaches a certain temperature, I think it holds second gear but it might be first. It does this to get the ATF up to an optimal temperature. It's completely normal. If this happens when you know the transmission is already at operating temperature, then you may have a problem.

Google can be your best friend.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Normal, at least for older 4runners as well as other older Toyotas. Learn to live with it.

 

[Volley]

Agree, normal. Should clear up after ATF warms up.

 

[FalkorF350]

should I not bother flushing the fluid then?

 

[brian2sun]

should I not bother flushing the fluid then?

You know the maintenance history a lot better than us. If it shifts normally after about 5 minutes, that's normal. But that doesn't mean it still couldn't benefit from a full trans flush or even just a drain and fill service. When was it last serviced? How does the fluid look?

Try letting the truck warm up for a few minutes before you start driving and it should shift normal.

 

[HCurphy]

umm...I don't know.
When was the last time it was done? Fluid look good on the dipstick? How does it shift normaly? Might be a good idea.

You could search "drain and fill ATF" and read up on that.

This might be helpful http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/69744-tutorial-documentation-reference.html

 

[FalkorF350]

I have no idea about the service history as I have only owned for a couple weeks. When its warm it shifts and drives beautifully! :biggrin2: