Transmission Problem - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Bitter · 10-22-2009, 07:17 PM

So my trusty rusty crusty blue geo is in the bucket.

Problem:
Trans slips in 3rd or 4th gear once the torque converter clutch locks up, feels as if it goes into neutral and will NOT drop into lower gears for a time or until i come to a complete stop and sit for a minute. I've also experienced a few long 1-2 upshifts with sluggish acceleration. fluid looks good, is about 30k old and is redline synthetic fluid, is not burnt smelling or overly dark. its still red but not brand new red. checked for trans codes, none are present and neither are any engine codes.

suggestions? i'll drop the trans pan when i can to inspect, but right now i am unable to do so.

trife96 · 10-22-2009, 07:46 PM

sorry to hear bitter. The fact that there are no codes definitely is puzzling. I would begin with checking the throttle cable and shift lever position sensor on the outside of the tranny. If those are not set right, they can cause unusual shifting points.

Bitter · 10-22-2009, 08:08 PM

yea, my throttle cable was adjusted on the tighter side of normal so it would downshift with less throttle pressure around town, i put some more slack in and it made no difference. mounts are sound, engine does not rock excessively.

this isnt a 'strange shift point' problem this is a 'falling out of gear and not going back into any gear' problem.

if it ends up being a smoked trans...as in its going to take more than a few solenoids to fix, i'll throw a 5spd in it over the winter and keep it as a spare car and get better at driving stick.

1jzdreamer · 10-23-2009, 02:05 PM

So I assume its the auto on the 1.8. Is there any difference if you disengage the o/d? Slipping like that usually means the o/d unit is slipping which can be due to low fluid, low line pressure, or worn belts.
Before giving up on it, it may be worth a power flush at a trans shop, usually about 75-125 bucks. It could be as simple as a sticky valve in the trans.
If you do a 5 speed swap, locate one in the wrecking yard and i can give you the parts list as I have done it.

Bitter · 10-24-2009, 10:03 AM

i work at a shop, lolz. from reading through my big red book of car (service manual) it sounds like i have a slipping underdrive clutch

its active in 3rd and 4th gears ONLY, but i'm going to Ohms check the solenoids without dropping the pan sometime next week or next weekend to be sure that they're all within specs and maybe do a few tests to just confirm the issue, a stall speed and line pressure test. transmission diagnosis is my least favorite kind of diagnosis behind german electrical.

Bitter · 11-04-2009, 09:25 PM

drove it about 10 miles tonight to where its being stored with the 3 wire solenoid harness unplugged. drove without slipping in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd with no 4th (OD) or TCC lockup. i'm now wondering if it could be an electrical issue or computer issue going on.

Rip The E Brake · 11-04-2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bitter

drove it about 10 miles tonight to where its being stored with the 3 wire solenoid harness unplugged. drove without slipping in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd with no 4th (OD) or TCC lockup. i'm now wondering if it could be an electrical issue or computer issue going on.

Its pretty obvious thats whats happening. Maybe you need new shift solenoids, or are they not replaceable?

Bitter · 11-05-2009, 07:29 AM

i bet they're replaceable, i was thinking solenoids as well...but a bad TCC solenoid should just kick me out of TCC i would think, not down into nuetral. i'll have to look at some hydraulic diagrams and see how fluid flows and whats applied/not applied with TCC is commanded by the PCM. i may just throw some solenoids at it and cross my fingers. who knows.

bottom line is, i have some diagnosis to do....but i already pretty much knew how it would drive with those wires unplugged, it really felt electrical to me.