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Reverse not working, drives in neutral

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by Mando, Jan 1, 2023.

  1. Jan 1, 2023 at 3:35 PM
    #1
    Mando

    Mando [OP] New Member

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    Hi all,

    I'm new to this group and new to owning a 4runner. I bought a 2000 sr5 2wd auto with 240k miles for $3k. A steal in my opinion and I considered myself lucky. It had a few issues to start which were disclosed, such as the front brakes. I replaced those as the truck would shimmy when braking. Next I had the CEL come on and after coding it (the previous owner left his reader for me as he was supposedly a mechanic) it showed a p0770 shift e.
    Ordered a solenoid kit from Amazon (only the solenoids actually fit, the filter was for a different 4runner transmission) and when I asked Nappa about sealant they sent me home with gasket maker. It was sloppy and was quickly leaking (hours after) as the fluid ate right through it. Used the gasket that came with the kit, it was cheap and also leaked.
    I should point out that I had to do this by feel as the torque wrench I had handy was broken. I'm pretty sure it was not tightened enough and also went far out of sequence when tightening.
    I ordered a new filter, gasket, sealant, and a new torque wrench.
    They arrived and I went to move the truck up onto the ramps. It was not wanting to get up it and I had to gun it, mind you it was very low on fluid but it was only in use for a couple minutes. I got it up after a couple seconds and there was a definite burning smell. Handled all replacements and torqued everything down to specs, then the problems arose.
    I shifted through the gears a few times and let the fluid get into the system then popped it in reverse to bring it down. Nothing. Wound up going into L and letting it roll back down. It would drive forward and always sounded as if it were changing gears but in Neutral it would drive forward and in R would do nothing. Did that one minute going up the ramp kill my transmission?
     
  2. Jan 1, 2023 at 3:43 PM
    #2
    2Toys

    2Toys Imperial Star Cruiser

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    Amazon... There are a number of things that should never be ordered on Amazon. So, you got a "steal" on the truck (your words) and then you cheap out on the repair parts? Hello? What did you think was going to happen?
     
  3. Jan 1, 2023 at 3:49 PM
    #3
    RumHamRunner73

    RumHamRunner73 Dead on with a zero

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    First off, I am wondering if the solenoid pack/kit you installed was/is even correct for your application. This is a major item that needs to function seal correctly.

    I have seen issues on Amazon replacement product o rings in regards to supplying the incorrect size/material. On some parts it is best to get an OEM and not some counterfeit inexpensive replacement just to save the coin.
     
    Mando[OP] likes this.
  4. Jan 1, 2023 at 4:10 PM
    #4
    Mando

    Mando [OP] New Member

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    @2Toys I did read the reviews on the solenoids and they were fine. The gears also worked fine up until this last time up the ramp. I wasn't "cheaping out" but i am new to this aspect of vehicles and on here asking for advice not for some smart a$$ to make themselves feel better.
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2023
  5. Jan 1, 2023 at 4:16 PM
    #5
    RumHamRunner73

    RumHamRunner73 Dead on with a zero

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    Understand, Was attempting to provide advice based off of prior experiences.

    Good luck going forward!
     
    Mando[OP] likes this.
  6. Jan 1, 2023 at 4:19 PM
    #6
    Mando

    Mando [OP] New Member

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  7. Jan 1, 2023 at 4:26 PM
    #7
    2Toys

    2Toys Imperial Star Cruiser

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    Well, I guess I did come across pretty rudely. Sorry about that. The transmission is so much more complicated than the engine. I just can't see risking a questionable (in my mind) source for something like that.
     
    Mando[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  8. Jan 1, 2023 at 4:42 PM
    #8
    Mando

    Mando [OP] New Member

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    I learned that the reason I kept getting the wrong filter was because there are three different transmissions for that model, which led me to read deeper into the reviews. Since the gears were working but the leaking was terrible I didn't think there was an issue with the solenoids. The CEL hasn't come back in either although it hasn't gone anywhere.
     
  9. Jan 1, 2023 at 4:47 PM
    #9
    2Toys

    2Toys Imperial Star Cruiser

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    Well, that certainly explains a lot. I am thinking the best way to figure out exactly what transmission you had would have been to go to Toyota with your VIN.
     
  10. Jan 1, 2023 at 4:51 PM
    #10
    Mando

    Mando [OP] New Member

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    It was a learning process. When I gave Nappa the exact make, model, etc. They still gave me the wrong parts. I also watched tons of tutorials and read threads on this p0770 fix and not a one mentioned there being multiple transmissions.
    Either way, if it is indeed the solenoids still I just need to replace them again.
     
  11. Jan 1, 2023 at 4:53 PM
    #11
    RumHamRunner73

    RumHamRunner73 Dead on with a zero

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    All right guys, Let us see if we can figure this out.

    If there are any internal leaks in or around the solenoids, It can greatly affect how the transmission functions.

    A few questions to try and narrow this down. Before the repair on the transmission, did any of the shifting issues occur? What did the fluid look like when initially draining it to drop the pan.. Did it look fresh or did it appear burnt and smelled badly? Did you notice any signs of someone recently working in the area (I have seen people add all types of fluids\additives to a transmission in order to patch em up enough to get a sale)

    If all of the above appeared fine and would let you lean to not having any issue on the current problem, I would go back and look into the solenoids that had recently got installed and verify all is good with them. Reseal up the pan and refill to the proper levels. Test
    accordingly

    I personally had a pinched wire on a transfer case solenoid pack on a Nissan/Infiniti back when I was a tech simply due to not catching a wire that got tightened down under a cable guide. I wanted to believe that it was nothing I could had done until I finally bit the bullet and tore back into it to discover that one....One wire.

    Sometimes we can be our own best teachers.
     
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  12. Jan 1, 2023 at 5:05 PM
    #12
    Mando

    Mando [OP] New Member

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    The shifting was fine until I put it into 2 while climbing the mountain road I live up. When I put it back into D is when the CEL came on. Researched the code and checked the fluids. Clean and bright red, no milkshake. The bell, however, was covered in black stuff that seemed as if it were coming from the top side of the transmission pan even though it didn't appear to be leaking. After my first attempt I wiped the bell off and did not see it leaking at all.
    The only time it ever really smelled bad was when I was trying to put it up the ramps today. But the fluid was still clean when I emptied it.
    I'm going to test all of the old solenoids and make sure it is only E that was malfunctioning and if so buy an oem replacement and put the old ones back in as well.
    I'm just really hoping i didn't hurt the transmission going up those ramps. It wasn't driven for long at all, just one reverse for about five yards and another couple yards up onto the ramps.
     
  13. Dec 15, 2023 at 9:24 AM
    #13
    timfed

    timfed New Member

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    Long tube headers, trd exaust, airraid intake, 3.5” icon lift
    did you end up figuring out what the problem was? having the same issue with my 07 FJ
     

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