QuestionQUESTION: I bought a used 2002 Highlander, v6, 4wd early Sept. with 52,000 miles. It's 4 speed, 3.0 engine. When the weather got cold I began noticing that the vehicle won't shift into 4th gear on a cold engine. It takes about a mile before it will shift up to 4th. Is this the start of a big problem or do I just have to live with it and let the engine warm up a while?
ANSWER: The transmission has a temperature sensor input from the engine, it won't go into overdrive inless the engine is at a certain temperature, this normally take about two city blocks of driving in cold wheather, check the temp gauge on the dash it should start moving after about 2-3 minutes, if it takes longer or the temperature gauge seems slow then replace the thermostat, it may be stuck partially open or it has been removed.
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QUESTION: Thanks. The dash gauge works fine. So you're saying it might be a sensor in the transmission not working right? If so, would it hurt the vehicle if I did nothing an lived with it?
AnswerNot a temp sensor in the transmission, the engine has a temp sensor for the computer, if the sensor gives the wrong reading then the transmission won't go into overdrive but it could also be some other factors like a transmission that is starting to have problems, normally there should be a check engine light on, is this the case?
