Transmission doesn't like to downshift

[gapboi210]

Is it a just a design or something wrong? My transmission seems to shift fine. It is a little rough going from 1st to 2nd. However I noticed at low speeds if you floor it, even in PWR mode it won't downshift. Like if you are going 20 or so and floor it it won't downshift to 1st. It just sits there and takes for ever to build rpms. It only downshifts at higher speeds. Usually 40+MPH.
If I manually downshift it gets up and goes. Also will everyone elses shift at redline? Most cars will just barely hit the red or right before it then shift. My 4Runner won't get near it.

Is everyone elses like this?

Or does no one ever floor it because of gas mileage LOL>

 

[gapboi210]

anyone?

 

[JP4RNR]

Throttle shift cables tend to stretch over time. You may need to adjust or replace your throttle shift cable. The adjustment is made at the throttle body

 

[gapboi210]

It seems like there is a lot of slack in those cables but I am not sure how to adjust them or how much slack they should have.

 

[JP4RNR]

There are two cables attached to the throttle body bracket one that is linked to your cruise control actuator and gas pedal and the other cable goes down to the transmission. The cable that goes down to the transmission is the one to adjust. If you have excessive slack that would cause the problem you are encountering. (when you step on the throttle most of the movement is just taking up slack and not acting on the cable. Consequently this causes late or no downshifts or upshifts that occur way too soon explaining why you don't get close to the redline. You are probably shifting from 1st to second with a wide open throttle at a max RPM of 3000-4000)You will need two14MM wrenches (as there are two nuts on either side of the bracket) to loosen the cable from the throttle body bracket. Adjust the nuts on the cable to take up the slack and then possibly more. I would make the adjustments in small increments and then test drive until you feel that the trans is downshifting as it should. If you find that the excessive slack cannot be corrected by adjustment of the cable then you have a stretched cable and will need to be replaced. replacing the cable requires dropping the oil pan on the transmission to disconnect from the valve body

The following is just a guide. Your cable may or may not have a cable stopper:
You will also notice the cable will have a black rubber boot. when you are making the adjustment if you pull the throttle cable out as far as it can go you should see a little rivet on the cable; this is the cable stopper. Toyota reccomends that the stopper should be visible at 1mm past the the tip of the rubber boot when the throttle is completely closed. I have never adjusted to this position as I found that downshifting became to touchy. The point is make the adjustments in small increments until it feels right . There is no textbook adjustment as Toyota implies in their manual as each transmission has its own "personality" Hope this helps you

 

[gapboi210]

With the slack in the cables, i doubt that i am getting WOT either.

 

[JP4RNR]

Did you attempt to adjust the cables? If so what was the outcome?

Thank you

 

[gapboi210]

Sorry work has me on an 11 hour a day schedule, I will attempt it on Thursday.

 

[JP4RNR]

Hi

Any luck yet?

 

[gapboi210]

I looked at the adjustment and seems to be adjusted all the way. Maybe I will take a pic for some people to see and tell me what they think. I dpn't really feel like dropping the pan. But maybe I might as well and do a filter and fluid change.