Transmission not engaging

Hey folks--

I drive a 2001 automatic. 233K miles or so. Engine runs fine but been having some hard shifts lately. Did a fluid change and that helped a fair bit. Hard shifts are only really when it's cold--either temp or engine.

Friday it threw a code for a bad solenoid, which I was happy about--seems a fairly easy fix. That night I was driving about 50MPH and it felt like the tranny shifted to neutral. Pulled over, won't engage in any gear--4WD Hi, Lo, or any of the regular gears (R,D,1,2, etc.).

I have noticed when I start it up, it sounds normal. When I go to engage it in any gear there's a whine like something is spinning but not engaging. It's as if the engine is not engaging the transmission.

Any thoughts? I'm fine to replace the tranny if need be but I don't want to get hosed for a whole transmission if there's something simpler.

Any feedback or thoughts are greatly appreciated!

-Tim

 

Most definitely NOT an expert here. But maybe torque converter?

 

Did you pull the pan when you did a fluid change? If not...I would pull the pan and inspect. Replace the filter. See if that helps. I'm not expert on these either.

 

I'm most certainly not an expert on these things but I have over the years seen some funky behavior in ATs when the fluid is low. And some are extremely particular about how you measure: hot vs cold, park vs neutral, flat ground, etc.

 

Yes. Pulling the pan may show junk in the strainer...which would limit fluid flow. Too much junk and it's plugging up places. And it could act like the fluid is low and be weird.

 

Tranny is being rebuilt. Apparently a orbital plate (or something like that--don't remember what the guy said) broke and the inside was a mess. Should be done tomorrow. Stoked to get her back!

 

Nice. Thanks for letting us know. How much was the rebuild?

 

My 4 Runner guru/junk yard has transmissions for 2nd gens (I know yours is 4th) for $200.00. He was 5 or 6 of them because "they never break".

Sorry to hear about your problems. These Aisin transmissions are the best out there.

 

I'm a 3rd gen.

Total rebuild came in at $3,085.39. Had it done at a a reputable tranny shop locally. Called around and all quotes were basically the same. Apparently the planetary gears in the overdrive section failed and were all blown to crap.

I spent 2 weeks looking to find another vehicle to purchase instead of rebuilding the tranny but couldn't find anything worthwhile without spending $10K plus. A used transmission would have put me about $1800. I'm happy to have the piece of mind of a fully rebuilt transmission with a 2 year/24K warranty.

Stoked to get her back. I miss the old girl.

 

Used car prices are through the roof. People are fleeing the new car market because the economy is tanking. I had pay way too much for a 2008 Mazda 3 hatch for my daughter. $3k in today's climate to get a reliable 4Runner going is definitely your best bet.

 

I know... been looking at Tacos.... don't even get me started. 20 years old 250K miles and $10-13K. Bonkers.