Transmission failed to shift into overdrive on freeway?

[KMX3060]

This is what happened. I left my house and got on the freeway and traveled about 10 miles to my friends house.

Stopped the 4R and talked for a few minutes. I got back in and went back on the freeway.

I thought I had a lot more power while driving along and then I noticed that the tach was at 3000 and I was only going about 65.

I thought this is not right but I was in the diamond lane and couldn't just get over. Well about two miles later it shifted into OD and the rpm's dropped where they should be.

I checked the shifter and it was in D. I tapped it several times toward the right thinking that there might be a problem with a switch or something.

Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[Northof49]

As a safety for the trans, it will not shift into OD until after you've been driving for awhile and the tranny reaches a certain temperature. All Toyotas (and many other cars) do this.

If it's doing it when the engine is 100% warm, then something is wonky......but if you start driving and awhile later it shifts on it's own, this is probably why.

 

[Iowa4Runner]

As a safety for the trans, it will not shift into OD until after you've been driving for awhile and the tranny reaches a certain temperature. All Toyotas (and many other cars) do this.

If it's doing it when the engine is 100% warm, then something is wonky......but if you start driving and awhile later it shifts on it's own, this is probably why.

How would this be a safety for the transmission? I thought delayed upshifting was to warm the engine faster to reduce emisions.

Considering it's Summer, and he had just driven it, the problem is not due the normal scenario you described. Something's wonky...

 

[Koz]

How would this be a safety for the transmission? I thought delayed upshifting was to warm the engine faster to reduce emisions.

Considering it's Summer, and he had just driven it, the problem is not due the normal scenario you described. Something's wonky...

:iagree:

Or maybe you bumped the selector.:driving:

Koz

 

[Northof49]

How would this be a safety for the transmission? I thought delayed upshifting was to warm the engine faster to reduce emisions.

Considering it's Summer, and he had just driven it, the problem is not due the normal scenario you described. Something's wonky...

Ok well then it's a safety that helps warm the engine faster......whatever it's intended purpose, the end result is the same.....doesn't shift into OD until the engine and tranny warms up. Holding it out of OD heats up everything faster, not just the EGT.

I agree that if everything was already up to temp it would be un-normal.

 

[Iowa4Runner]

Ok well then it's a safety that helps warm the engine faster......whatever it's intended purpose, the end result is the same.....doesn't shift into OD until the engine and tranny warms up. Holding it out of OD heats up everything faster, not just the EGT.

I agree that if everything was already up to temp it would be un-normal.

I have a vague memory of a Toyota service guy telling me the computer monitors the coolant temp. Until it reaches 100 deg F, the tranny will keep the engine at a higher than normal RPM. I think this can affect other gears too, not just OD.

 

[khaug]

It's very, very easy in the 4th gen V8s to inadvertently select "4" instead of "D" (I do it about once per week), and just about as easy to bump the shifter down into "D" from "4". My vote would be that something like this probably happened.

I'd not worry unless it happens again. If it does, your first action should be to look at the shift indicator and make sure it's in "D". If it IS in "D" and the truck is warmed up, then I'd say head for the dealer and see if the tranny produced an error code in the OBD-II memory.

Good luck.

 

[KMX3060]

I checked the shifter several times when this happened. I tapped it to the right thinking that there was a stiuck or loose connection that was making it stay in 4th.

I went to the dealer and the service rep said drive it until it breaks.

BTW there is a lot of power when you are at 3K RPM and it is not in OD.

 

[Koz]

The V8 really starts to pull hard at 3000 RPM!:runaway:

Koz

 

[Iowa4Runner]

I went to the dealer and the service rep said drive it until it breaks.

Seriously? That's an insane response and should be taken up with Toyota. Toyota's service people are on drugs.

 

[KMX3060]

Seriously? That's an insane response and should be taken up with Toyota. Toyota's service people are on drugs.

Insane? Maybe, but that was his response.

 

[Sac State]

Seriously? That's an insane response and should be taken up with Toyota. Toyota's service people are on drugs.

That is my dealers response to everything.

'Cannot duplicate' bring it in when it breaks. Even though I am now at 40K miles and out of warranty.

 

[Iowa4Runner]

Insane? Maybe, but that was his response.

Did you demonstrate the problem for the service rep? I was assuming you did.

 

[gtsun]

I'm having a problem with mine which is the first generation 89 four runner with the V6 and automatic transmission kicking out of overdrive even after I've done 50 miles on the freeway. I'm about to check the thermostat but it was just replaced by a "professional mechanic" and supposedly has the right 190° thermostat. I can't think of any other reason for it to kick out of overdrive other than the temperature sensor telling the EC you that the temperature is too cold for it to be in overdrive. Does anyone have any other ideas or suggestions?

 

[gm350reratliff]

I would have it scanned for any codes. It's possible you have a failing shift solenoid or shift position sensor. Also, I would probably check the fluid level as low or high levels will make the trans behave differently.

 

[Dpassmore]

More than likely a solenoid is sticking slightly at times.
Mine doesn't like to shift into o/d at times, usually on the interstate on ramp uphill.
They will shift into o/d when cold. Typically when it won't shift into o/d cold the solenoid or shift valve is sticking. The pcm however will not allow tcc lock up until operating temp is reached.
Given my experience is mostly GM I'm pretty sure this applies to the 4Runner.
Blackworks probably can confirm


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