Transmission won't engage sometimes

[jac100]

OK, here's my weird one. I have a '94 4Runner I bought about a month ago and it intermittently won't engage the transmission. At least that's my best guess.

I start the truck and move the shift selector to drive then push on the gas and it won't move. It'll roll if it's on a hill or if it's being pushed but the transmission doesn't engage. It does the same in any gear (Reverse, Drive, 2, & L).

I usually let it idle for a while and then come back and keep trying. Eventually it'll engage and the truck moves.

As a side note, I checked the transmission fluid level and it was 2 quarts low so I added that hoping that was it... but no dice.

anyone have any ideas?

 

[90toytruck.]

had the same prob with my 90 runner !! i ended up going thru the gears nothing with the trans in low i shifted into 4 low than up to 4 high when i did that the trans started shifting proper the only explantion i can come up with is a solinoid in the transfer case was half open and going thru the gears in the trans case unlocked it . other than that i have no reasonable explination for what the heck happened but it hs been good every since ...GOOD LUCK :jump:

 

[jac100]

ugly stuff

So far my thoughts/discussions make me believe it's either the Transmission pump or the torque converter. I'm leaning toward the torque converter right now because when I shift from Park to Drive I hear/feel something change but the transmission never fully engages.

So, I'm pricing out buying a used transmission, getting it overhauled and then installed. This is way out of my "do it myself" abilities.

Let me know if you guys come up with any ideas.