Transmission Issue

[Mudrat4x4]

From a complete stop, if I slowly press on the accelerator my 2000 4Runner will take off just fine. BUT, if I press the gas more firmly, it seems like the transmission is slipping/hesitating for a couple seconds, then it grabs and takes off. It shifts fine into 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears fine. This only happens when I "step on it", the trans. seems to slip before it catchs and takes off.

Fluid was low, added a quart. Didn't seem to help.
Torque converter???

Any ideas???

 

[Grenvilleter]

I have a similar problem and posted but so far...no possible answers.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Any whining from underneath (tc possibly)?

Any codes to indicate a failing solenoid?

 

[Mudrat4x4]

No codes and no sounds other then a big "clunk" once the transmission finally engages.

 

[Grenvilleter]

In my case, I had a CEL come up once but it cleared itself before I got a chance to read it.
I'm leaning towards a piece of dislodged dirt roaming around.
My tranny had been abused by a previous owner (towing) and fluid was burnt.
I did two drain & fills but did not remove the pan to clean the filter/magnet.

Until this gets done, I pull the shift selector into 1st gear anytime I go slow enough or stop where the trans should downshift into 1st gear. This seems to force the tranny into 1st gear and prevent the slippage of the truck trying to accelerate in 3rd gear.
In my case, the problem (failure to downshift) does not happen every time I come to a stop but so far, only when things are at operating temp after driving a while. Cold starts seem to operate normally.

I was hoping someone could give me some tips on cleaning the valve body when I pull off the pan in case there is a piece of dirt stuck in it somewhere that's causing the problem.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Check your driveshaft to make sure it is greased up well.

 

[Buckaroo]

Check Trans Fluid Level?

 

[Mudrat4x4]

Now it is in the repair shop. Tried driving it to the repair shop but about half way there, the car overheated. Had radiator fluid all over the place. The 4 runner would move but at 4000rpm it would only go about 15 miles per hour and wouldn't shift past 2nd gear. Can't wait to hear what repair guy has to say. It sure seems like a torque converter, or a solenoid issue.

 

[JEL]

Now it is in the repair shop. Tried driving it to the repair shop but about half way there, the car overheated. Had radiator fluid all over the place. The 4 runner would move but at 4000rpm it would only go about 15 miles per hour and wouldn't shift past 2nd gear. Can't wait to hear what repair guy has to say. It sure seems like a torque converter, or a solenoid issue.

Sounds like milkshake, the ATF cooler inside the radiator failed and caused fluid to mix. 99% chance it's toast if that's the case.

 

[LittleCaesar]

+1 on the milkshake.