Transmission Diagnosis Question

[scotty208]

I initially posed this question in the 3rd Gen forum but believe it is relevant here.

When I first start up my 4 runner and put it into drive it idles and will eventually "pop" into gear. The transmission fluid is dark red/ brown up to the cool marking on the stick. I have scheduled a transmission flush day after tomorrow.

What other possible issues could be causing the delayed shifting and what costs should I expect with these repairs.

Thanks for the information.


__________________
98 4Runner 4x4 165K

 

[Uneek]

From what I've read on a couple sites... does the fluid smell burnt? If it does, don't change the fluid, otherwise you're setting yourself up for transmission failure. The reason is the fluid right now has worned out transmission materials that keeps the synchros and gears working properly. When you change the fluid the worn materials are gone, and the transmission will begin to slip.

 

[hossmaster]

From what I've read on a couple sites... does the fluid smell burnt? If it does, don't change the fluid, otherwise you're setting yourself up for transmission failure. The reason is the fluid right now has worned out transmission materials that keeps the synchros and gears working properly. When you change the fluid the worn materials are gone, and the transmission will begin to slip.

Yep, check to see if it smells funny or burnt. If so save your money.

 

[scotty208]

It doesn't have an odor just the dark color. Any ideas on what could be causing it have trouble shiftinh into drive when I start it up? The past two days I'll put in drive and when I press on the gas nothing happens and then it "pops" into gear. Thanks-

 

[greasefingers]

It is never a bad thing to change the tranny fluid on any vehicle. Stabilizers do break down over time. However, a tranny flush has always been controversial. I always just drain and replace my tranny fluid twice over two weekends. That way I get most of the fluid replaced. I have done this twice already on my 2003 runner. (Not needed if your vehicle has the newer life-long tranny fluid or whatever it is called)

Scotty 208: For this problem I would make sure that the ATF is checked correctly. With a hot engine move the gear shift selector into each position and pause there for 2 seconds. Then return it to Park. With the engine running check the dip-stick

 

[drei4runner29]

my tranny just went out on me this past thanksgiving. i was on my way home w/ my wife and daughter when my tranny gave out. I've had experiences just like what you described. Before my tranny went out on me, I took my 4runner to the dealership several months back because I was having the same problems as you were. The gear shift kept on sticking on me everytime I try to change gears from park to drive or reverse and back to park again. And my 4runner would jump every time I tried to press on the accelarator. They flushed my tranny and put in new fluid. They advised me that when they removed the old fluid, I had metal shavings in along w/ the fluid since my fluid was so old and that it hasn't been replaced in a long time.

Now, my 4runner is back at the dealership awaiting a new transmission. It's costing me $3300 and some change to replace it and that's including labor for a brand new tranny. Unfortunately, they don't have the tranny in stock and it has to be special ordered and won't arrive until sometime next week.

 

[yotarunner]

trany

what's up guy's. A buddy of mine had the same problems and it was a simple as shifter bushings.
I just took my 04 runner to have the transmission flushed and when i went to pick it up they told me they only drained and filled it, that this is the service they recommend not to ever completely flush the fluid. I have 70000 miles on the runner, the dealer also told me that they had a few cases in were they have flushed the transmission on vehicles with more then 50k miles and transmissions have gone out with in a month or 2 after the service.

Just sharing some info with you guy's, I hope it all works out ..

 

[vaneck34]

Re: trany

I have been told the same thing, no kinds of flushes at all, dealerships and mechanics offer it because they make alot of money on it and if it breaks after getting it done. (most like will) then they get more money for the work. Sorry guys, I know alot of mechanics and I was told the same things over and over

 

[vaneck34]

Re: trany

Oh and by the way, I am fighting this tranny battle with my sons 93 4X4 automatic. Your clutches inside the transmission sounds like there busted, thats what causes the jerking feeling. It will only get worse and if you let it go for much longer you will be replacing the transfer case too, if its internal like my sons is. No tranny flush is going to fix broken clutches.