Where to begin...transmission problem

[estradacg]

Hi, I've seen several posts for this problem, I need major help on where to start troubleshooting.

I have a 97 4R LTD Auto V6, I made the mistake of towing a large trailer (18' to remove a large tree), on normal 2WD O/D (instead of 4WD). I think I damaged my transmission, the truck made a loud noise (sounded like a gear slipping) when backing the trailer, but drove fine for 2 days. After I chaged the oil, the only way to get it to move was after approaching almost 4000 RPM and then behaves ok until i stop again. I almost have to floor it for it to move. It does the same in Reverse. I am scared of getting slammed w/ a nasty bill at either a Tranny shop or the stealership and would like to give it my best shot myself it at all possible. Please help. Is this a lost cause, should I just tow it to a shop?

Thanks!!

 

[TechWrench]

Hi, I've seen several posts for this problem, I need major help on where to start troubleshooting.

I have a 97 4R LTD Auto V6, I made the mistake of towing a large trailer (18' to remove a large tree), on normal 2WD O/D (instead of 4WD). I think I damaged my transmission, the truck made a loud noise (sounded like a gear slipping) when backing the trailer, but drove fine for 2 days. After I chaged the oil, the only way to get it to move was after approaching almost 4000 RPM and then behaves ok until i stop again. I almost have to floor it for it to move. It does the same in Reverse. I am scared of getting slammed w/ a nasty bill at either a Tranny shop or the stealership and would like to give it my best shot myself it at all possible. Please help. Is this a lost cause, should I just tow it to a shop?

Thanks!!

If I understand you post, after towing and hearing the "loud noise" , the trans seemed to work fine. But, after changing the fluid, the trans started to not pull from a stop unless you reved it to 4k. The first thing I would suspect it the fluid change. Did you change all the fluid, or just drain the pan? How much fluid did it take to fill the trans back up, and did you use the proper fluid.

 

[24runners]

Re: Re: Where to begin...transmission problem

If I understand you post, after towing and hearing the "loud noise" , the trans seemed to work fine. But, after changing the fluid, the trans started to not pull from a stop unless you reved it to 4k. The first thing I would suspect it the fluid change. Did you change all the fluid, or just drain the pan? How much fluid did it take to fill the trans back up, and did you use the proper fluid.

I think I had this same problem on my 96. I did exactly as you described one weekend....but weirdly, thats it. It did it while I was in Atlanta...the weather was really cold so I thought that had something to do with it. It worked fine for months afterward, then I sold it. So I'm not sure if there was a problem when I sold it or not. The guy I sold it to hasnt had any problems that I know of. I sold it with 135k miles (supercharger was put on with 100k miles)

I too had the tranny fluid changed...but it was a month or two before that incident.

I had also towed my Supra to Atlanta months earlier with no problems at all. (but it did have the TRD tranny cooler)

It did exactly as you described, I hit the gas from a stop and nothing...had to almost floor it to get it to go forward, then it drove fine, until I stopped again. After that weekend in Atlanta, it drove fine again.

 

[estradacg]

I actually changed the motor oil, not the ATF before it acted up. The ATF level is full/normal. I am afraid to drive it now and still struggling between looking at it myself or taking it to Toyota, I am leaning towards the torque converter, but still, I don't want to change the wrong component.