QuestionI have a 1991 toyota 4runner, 6 cyl, 4wd.
I just got it back from the mechanic yesterday. He changed out the thermostat and a piece of the pulley assembly (water pump bracket, I think) in front of the water pump that was locked up and the starter. I took it to be repaired when it broke down on me on the highway. It died and the transmission temp light came on and it wouldn't start after that. Now, When driving (city & highway) the transmission never switches gears. In the recent past, it worked sporaticly. I could be on the highway and everingthing driving fine and then all of the sudden it would slip out of overdrive and start reving at 3500 to 4000 rpm. Now it won't shift into overdrive at all. Even in city driving it seems to not shift. I also had this problem before the repairs ). What do i need to check ? Someone has mentioned the modulator valve or the transmission filter. Please help. Also, when I bought the 4runner back in April 2002. The previous owner said the transmission has been replaced 3 times and the same problem keeps coming back. Thanks, any suggestions would be appreciated.
AnswerThere is no modulator valve.
It sounds like a major transmission malfunction, I have no way of knowing how many times the transmission was replaced other than whhat the previous owner told you which may or may not be true.
There is a possibility that it is a control problem which means that there may be a problem with the engine/transmission ECU, this would be rare but possible, I would pay the diagnostic fee and have the toyota dealer check it.
Have you checked the fluid, is it up to the full mark and is it clean or is it dark and smells burned, if so, there is a hydraulic problem and there is internal slipping of some of the clutches.
