Transmission on a 2000 Automatic

[fjcruiserpd]

Problem: Transmission on a 2000 Automatic

I'm new here and not much of a mechanic so I was hoping for some insight regarding my wife's 2000 4Runner Automatic SR5 transmission.

Yesterday as she was coming home the car out of nowhere completely lost all movement in any gear. When we start it and put it in gear all it does is rev – but no forward or reverse movement.

We can hear a very faint "grinding" noise during the revving process.

Is this a completely blown transmission or is it something more benign? We bought it used from a dealer a little over 8 months ago. It currently has 162K miles on it.

Right now it is sitting at a transmission shop awaiting diagnosis. But I was hoping I could get some possible knowledge from the folks here before I hear back from the shop.

If more info is needed I'd be glad to give what I can.

Thanks!

 

[Singtoe]

If it is at the transmissions shop, you should be GTG.


Possible problems

Blown rear diff
Broke transfer case
Bad sun gears in the tranny or any myriad of transmission woes.

 

[Saved]

That is not a lot of miles to go out unless it was abused. I can almost guarantee you that the shop is going to tell you it needs a full rebuild. I did mine a couple years ago and it cost me around 2600.00 However since this was so sudden my guess is that it is electrical. Mine did the same thing and two days later after I called a tow truck to carry it to the shop the driver got into my vehicle and drove it up on the truck. My jaw dropped. I still let them rebuild it, but I still think it was One of the internal switches. However in your case I seriously doubt that anyone can diagnose it from a distance and even if it is only a switch I doubt they will just replace it and send it home.
I would also tell you that they most likely will tell you that they have to take it out and tear it down to see what is really wrong.

 

[kball]

If it's 4WD maybe the transfer case shifter got knocked to Neutral.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Pink milkshake (antifreeze in the ATF) possibly.

 

[fjcruiserpd]

I would also tell you that they most likely will tell you that they have to take it out and tear it down to see what is really wrong.

You were right. They called me back today and said just that. They seem to be very fair and open about the process so I think they'll take good care of the rig.

After posting my question I realized that it would be tough for anyone to really give me an answer without being here with the car, but I do appreciate the opinions given. I'll post back with what the transmission shop ultimately tells me.

 

[fjcruiserpd]

Hi again everyone.

We got our 4runner back a two weeks ago. The transmission had to be rebuilt. Cost an arm and a leg but everything seems to be "running" properly.

However, I recently noticed that there is now a leak coming from what appears to be my transfer case. This leak was not there before I had the transmission rebuilt.

I took it into the shop today for a required two-week check up and pointed the leak out to the manager. His response was that it was not a by product of anything they had done. This was a hard thing to believe since the leak only manifested itself after the work they had done.

Am I way off-base here by connecting the two? Should I make them fix the leak?

 

[jsukey]

I would have a hard time seeing a transmission rebuilt without removing the transfer case and doing the rear seal as well. It's such an easy thing to do once the transmission is dropped.

 

[fjcruiserpd]

I would have a hard time seeing a transmission rebuilt without removing the transfer case and doing the rear seal as well. It's such an easy thing to do once the transmission is dropped.

Are you suggesting that perhaps the shop that rebuilt my transmission could have possible contributed to leak coming from the transfer case?

Or are you saying that fixing the transfer case leak while rebuilding the transmission is easy?

If the latter, I'm afraid that isn't possible as the work as already been done to rebuild the transmission and we have been driving the truck for the last two weeks.

 

[ipaman]

I think what he means is that the transfer case has to come out when removing the transmission. Therefore they might not have put it back together properly.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I'm just curious why no one ever just orders a new transmission online.

Camelback Toyota online parts lists one for $2500 brand new with a $1000 core I believe. So $1500 for a new OEM trans plus install costs say $500.

 

[LittleCaesar]

If you want to keep your rig for a decent time, and take out as much risk with another transmission, I'd follow Brian's advice.

In removing the transmission, the shop may have exacerbated the already leaking seal(s) but such is speculative. Here is a good DIY replacement sans impact tools to replace them:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...r-case-output-shaft-oil-seals-how-diyers.html

 

[andrewbares]

I'm just curious why no one ever just orders a new transmission online.

Camelback Toyota online parts lists one for $2500 brand new with a $1000 core I believe. So $1500 for a new OEM trans plus install costs say $500.

$2,500 with a $1,000 core means you pay $3,500 and later get back $1,000 when you return the old transmission.

So he would be paying $2,500 for the transmission. Not just $1,500. I knew your price was way too good of a deal to be true lol. However, for my 2002, Camelback's price right now is like $1,950 after you return the old tranny, not too bad.