Ok. I know everyone is gonna say take it to a shop or search Google or previous threads. But in order to save a few dollars for repairs, I'd like to skip the shop. Google only returns so many searches and not always what I'm looking for.

I have a 93 4Runner with the 3.slow, 4x4 automatic. The other day when i left for work, after I put it in gear it seemed to have not engaged or something, it just drove/rolled really slow and the engine revved way up. Hit flat ground and seemed to engage and drive fine until I turned a corner and started going uphill, when it lost all tranny power and just revved the engine.

No previous issues or warning signs, lights, noises, etc. Brought the issue up with a trusted friend and he thought it might be the solenoids inside the tranny that we're going bad and kicked it into "Limp Mode." I just replaced them today and to no avail, the tranny is still not engaging. Could this possibly be a transfer case actuator issue? The whole transfer case itself? Vacuum lines or solenoids that I'm unaware of? Any help would be appreciated, trying to save some time and money. TYIA. T4Rguy

 

Is the fluid level full?

 

Yes of course. Last thing I did before firing it up and trying it out...

 

Sorry, didn't mean to sound condescending. But your symptoms sound like a torque converter not engaging, and low fluid level is one cause of that.

You should check out the FSM (see links at top of this board) and do the transmission diagnostics.

 

I believe the '93 has the A340H (it's on your door pillar label). That has a diagnosis system; jumper the right pins in the diagnostic port, and read the O/D flashes.

Alas, it seems our favorite online FSM is no more, so I can't give you a direct cite.

BTW, I hope you didn't Google "tranny trouble" ....

 

Done that... Continuous blinking lights means there are no trouble codes. And yes, as I've said, I've googled every possible thing I can think of on tranny trouble, solenoid issues, transfer case problems, etc. I started where I felt it was most obviously inexpensive by replacing the 3 solenoids for $145. Step two is figuring out what that actual problem is since the solenoid swap did nothing but put new solenoids inside, lol. I changed out the filter since I was in there as well. So new solenoids, new filter and fresh fluid and it's still not engaging when put in gear. I can here things moving around in there as I change gears, but it won't engage. Park works, haha. Also turning on 4WD doesn't do anything either.

 

I wonder if the transfer case is stuck in neutral for some reason. Is it possible to pull the stick on a 3.0 automatic transfer case and manually move it with a metal rod or dowel of some sort?

If a 3.0 automatic does not have a stick, what about manually engaging it from underneath the truck?

 

It's an auto, does have a "stick" per-say, but I'm not sure if it's stuck in neutral. It definitely goes into park, and does switch gears, just seems to not fully engage or activate each one entirely. I watched the rear driveline as I had my wife changing gears. It'll turn about an inch or so in the direction the gear goes but stops. Had her release her foot from the break and touch the accelerator to see if it moves and it will rolls couple inches in the direction the gear is set in, but stops and just revs the engine. I'm leaning more toward a T-case issue, but I think it's an electronic issue, maybe the T-case actuator?

 

I had a Gmc jimmy that had similar problem after changing the fluid and filter. After talking to a couple transmission guys, the suggestion was to try trans medic additive.
The transmission went from not shifting and or not moving to near normal in a couple of miles. It did take around a 150 miles , for it to start shifting into od as soon as it did before the fluid change. I just changed the fluid in my 90 Toyota truck and added it as preventive measure. For around 7.00 dollars it might be worth trying.

 

If "park" works, as in the vehicle won't move while in park, then that means that the transfer case is engaged. If the t-case was in neutral, the vehicle would roll freely even if the transmission was in park.