Warm Transmission Shifter?

[gamefreakgc]

Ok, I've got a weird one for you all. Not a big issue, just putting this out there if anyone has a clue what's going on.

Lately at night we've been dropping into the 30's and when I get into my 4Runner in the morning I do my normal deal, get it started, then shift to Reverse. Lo and behold, the shifter is warm to the touch near where the release button is. Very odd. Here's what I do know:

1. Heater is off so no chance of hot air blowing on it.
2. No lights or aftermarket heaters that could possible be warming it (whole interior is cold otherwise).
3. There's no light or current in the shifter itself, or so I think?

What could possibly be causing my shifter to warm? Is there a switch attached to the release button that's causing the shifter to feel warm to the touch? But in order to do that it would have to be always hot?

 

[jross20]

Subbeb, I generally just feel heat from the whole area. Most so closer to the e-brake.

 

[JMat]

Could it be the sun is or has been shining on the black shifter handle?

 

[brillo_76]

Could it be the sun is or has been shining on the black shifter handle?

I agree with JMat that it has to be the sun or some other source of heat. As none of mine are warm to the touch this time of year.

 

[HiLife]

Could it be the radiator fan is moving air across the hot exhaust manifolds and down thru the trans tunnel/shifter area?
Dont know if the solenoid that unlocks the shifter when the rig is running would be that warm enough to warm up the shifter.

 

[jross20]

It's definitely not the sun. Mine can be warm at night, and right now it's cold due to winter, haha.

 

[brillo_76]

It's definitely not the sun. Mine can be warm at night, and right now it's cold due to winter, haha.

Hmm.. I dont notice any of mine being warm. However, I will investigate into it further. mine always seem to be the same temperature as the rest of the interior is.

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[jross20]

Hmm.. I dont notice any of mine being warm. However, I will investigate into it further. mine always seem to be the same temperature as the rest of the interior is.

Sent from my SM-J337V using Tapatalk

The heat in mine seems to come from the transfer case shifter to the e brake area. If that helps haha, hell if I can find it I could take some readings with an infrared thermometer.

 

[jgue467]

...heat in mine seems to come from the transfer case shifter...

same here, very warm bottoms of cup holders but never warmth never makes it to shifter, that's just ambient temp even after hours of driving. There's something special about yours - wish my steering wheel did that on some cold mornings - haha.... Luck and otherwise enjoy the Runner. :cowboy:

 

[jross20]

same here, very warm bottoms of cup holders but never warmth never makes it to shifter, that's just ambient temp even after hours of driving. There's something special about yours - wish my steering wheel did that on some cold mornings - haha.... Luck and otherwise enjoy the Runner. :cowboy:

Well the shifter its' self doesn't become hot or warm. The whole area just send to generally radiate some heat. I figured it was the transfer case or transmission saying hello.
:embarassed:

 

[dogtail]

I wish my aluminum shifter was warm in the winter, its like ice till I'm running for a half hour.

 

[brillo_76]

Well the shifter its' self doesn't become hot or warm. The whole area just send to generally radiate some heat. I figured it was the transfer case or transmission saying hello.

:embarassed:

If not sun, Its your transmission and transfer nothing else is in the area can hold heat for long periods of time.

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[mesooohoppy]

the only thing i can think of off the top of my head is some sort of insulation that is holding onto the trans/xfercase heat for a very long time (overnight). since heat rises, i wonder if there is some sort of insulation on the trans tunnel and somehow it is being 'trapped' and essentially radiating off the top slowly.

 

[tgreenwood75]

Could a passenger have turned your rear heat on without you knowing? When the rear heat is left on accidentally it tends to make my console considerably warmer. Doesn't happen enough for me to remember if it affects the shifters, but any drinks in the cupholders certainly get warmer than usual.

 

[mesooohoppy]

If not sun, Its your transmission and transfer nothing else is in the area can hold heat for long periods of time.

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see what i just posted right after you. i highly doubt that if there is insulation near the tranny tunnel, it can hold heat that long. unless it is somehow able to retain a fair amount of the heat and slowly radiate it off overnight. keyword being slowly.

kinda sorta like those yeti mugs, although i do realize those are much smaller and you have to keep the lid on to keep it hot/cold.

 

[mesooohoppy]

Could a passenger have turned your rear heat on without you knowing? When the rear heat is left on accidentally it tends to make my console considerably warmer. Doesn't happen enough for me to remember if it affects the shifters, but any drinks in the cupholders certainly get warmer than usual.

i see what you are saying, but there is absolutely zero chance that plastic holds that heat for that long (overnight). id say that within an hour or two (depending on how cold it is outside), the plastic is likely back at ambient temp.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Great thoughts.

1. No one drives my 4Runner without me knowing lol. It's my baby. Plus my kids are too young to try.

2. It's parked in a garage, no sun here!

3. I think you guys are on to something with heat travelling up from the transmission or transfer case. It never happens when I park it outside, since the wind will cool off the transmission much faster. But in a sealed garage, this could very much be the case.

 

[jgue467]

..... I think you guys are on to something with heat travelling up from the transmission or transfer case. ...

These machines are rather poorly insulated in various locations. I've been meaning to pull the console around shifter/underneath '01 cupholders area and add a layer of foil backed 10mm one-sided sticky foam padding. This could help your situation, unless you want the warmth inside.

I've already added underneath rear seat where the OEM jack goes, that area gets very hot after extended driving, much better now. Also added underneath hood, quiter now. Now lets see where else can this be added....

I got this type of insulation: 1.4M 10mm Car Auto Sound Deadener Firewall Hood Heat Barrier Pad Insulation Mat | eBay

 

[brillo_76]

Toyota transfers and transmissions always got warm in the mid section. That's been that way since the beginning.

Around my area its gets cold enough the heat gets removed in a few hours. We mostly go below freezing every night this time of year and I dont experience the residual heat.

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[JMat]

Great thoughts.

1. No one drives my 4Runner without me knowing lol. It's my baby. Plus my kids are too young to try.

2. It's parked in a garage, no sun here!

3. I think you guys are on to something with heat travelling up from the transmission or transfer case. It never happens when I park it outside, since the wind will cool off the transmission much faster. But in a sealed garage, this could very much be the case.

I lived in the Sac. area for years and it doesn't get too cold so I could see that still being residual heat from driving it the day before that has worked it's way up. Especially when parked in a garage. In Reno last night we got down to 18 degrees and my garage and 4Runner were still 50 degrees when I went out this morning. In Sac. high 20's are downright cold so if you park a hot car in your garage at night it won't ever get cold.