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Transmission issue after Engine bay cleaning

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by GreenMachine2000, Oct 12, 2018.

  1. Oct 12, 2018 at 8:52 AM
    #1
    GreenMachine2000

    GreenMachine2000 [OP] New Member

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    The day started off by going to work. It's a 5 mile drive. No issues with the transmission at all. Go home for lunch and to let the dog out. No issues. Drive back to work.. No issues! At the end of the day I decide to go and wash the truck. I've sprayed the engine bay before and no issues. So I did it again. This is when the issue started. All of a sudden the transmission is acting up. Put it in drive and it seems to want to stay in 1st. No up-shifting. In fact, it feels like it goes from 1st to neutral and then back again. It cant figure out where it wants to be. I limp home and start to think what the heck is going on. How can it be fine the whole day and all of a sudden its jacked up?

    I have done the following. I made it home and fired up the air compressor and took out all of the plugs to make sure there was no water in them. All is clear. I check the transmission fluid. All good. The kick down cable is operating correctly as well... I'm lost! I work for a Toyota dealership and my mechanic is even stumped!! Manual shifting from L to 2nd to D does not work. From the chain of events, I really feel that this is something small and not the actual transmission. Any ideas from any of you?
     
  2. Oct 12, 2018 at 9:15 AM
    #2
    SR5 Limited

    SR5 Limited New Member

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    Take it to a different mechanic and get another opinion. I lost hope in my dealership when they charged me twice(400$ Each time) to do valve cover gaskets.lol
    They did the gasket but didn’t change the grommets that come with the kit..
     
    4runnerhelp likes this.
  3. Oct 12, 2018 at 10:03 AM
    #3
    DGP1961

    DGP1961 New Member

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    How old is your vehicle? I get the impression you spray/wash the engine bay sort of often not a good thing in my opinion. I'm no mechanic just my .02 No need to invite issues introducing the water to the engine bay.
     
  4. Oct 12, 2018 at 10:51 AM
    #4
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    Yeah, I do this all the time from my first Toyota 4X4 in 1980. My vehicles all have clean engine compartments like they are brand new. You can change a plug or an air filter in a white shirt. It’s no big deal.
    Your transmission problem is not related to water. Cause and effect can be misleading. Good luck! BTW, a good transmission guy can diagnose this in a heartbeat, it doesn’t sound like they know how to do this at your dealership though
     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2018
  5. Oct 17, 2018 at 5:57 AM
    #5
    Toyotayoda

    Toyotayoda New Member

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    Atlanta area
    Vehicle:
    1997 SR5 4x4, 302k and counting
    Tacoma whip, 99 console box, tru trac., steering wheel, PWMS and HVAC control out of a 99.
    Is the fluid level correct? You wanna check it idling, AT fluid temp between 158-163f.
     

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