Sometimes I hate craigslist....

I got the bug to check and see if I could find a deal on another Montero and sure enough I found a 94 Montero SR for 800 bucks. It fired up and I was able to drive it home. :-)

I started fixing the many problems it had. Bad power steering pump that leaked long enough to kill the alternator. Both were replaced and I even got really lucky and found a brand new lower intake plenum on a Montero at the junk yard. Paid $25.99 for it :-)

The problem I can't figure out appears to be something related to the transmission or torque converter. In Neutral the vehicle revs with no problems. When in Drive the vehicle can barely move. I will put the shifter into L and punch it and if there is any hill...it simply won't accelerate. To drive it home I used low range which helped but it still had the problem.

Not sure how to say this but it literally feels like the torque converter is eating the power.

I have yet to do a compression test...I know I should have done this first. It is running on all 6 Cyls and zero smoke. No check engine light.

Anyone have a series of items to check that would cause this? I am a little lost at this point on what could be causing this.

Are the RPM's increasing but the truck is not moving? Might try to flush the trans and use some Mitsu SpIII.

None of the brakes are dragging? Ive had a rear caliper that was stuck before.

Also, I'm pretty sure the trans uses the Throttle position sensor, might want to check that it is calibrated right.

The RPMS do not move.

The truck rolls downhill with no problem or drag.

I will test the TPS tonight with a volt meter...or just swap in the one from my 95 for a quick test.

I am off work tomorrow so I will be doing the compression test too.

Check the console switch for 2nd gear start, "snow/ ice" mode.

^Forgot about that.

The trans has the three modes, power, normal, hold. If your light is burned out in the dash you might have it in "hold" which starts it in 2nd gear instead of first. I don't think there is an indicating light for "normal", just "power" and "hold".

The Montero trans are pretty stout. Usually no problems with them. I like to run the OEM Mitsu fluid in mine just for the piece of mind. I would double check ATF level and condition.

Hold. That's what I meant to type. Just couldn't remember the lingo... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

its a fuel problem

I did some more testing by driving the vehicle around (as best I could).

I figured out that the transmission is not dropping down gears. When you start you, it is in 4th gear. Punching the gas...etc doesn't get it to drop down.

I can however use the selection lever to put the vehicle into L and then start out in first gear. I can then move to 2nd and eventually drive when I get it up to speed.

The AT mode switch will light up for Hold but I can't get it into Power. I need to check the bulb in the dash.

Another observation is L, 2, D don't light up on the dash. Still need to check the bulbs.

Feels and looks like I have a transmission problem. Never even had to work on one in the Montero yet. I will look through the FSM and see if I can get some info on what to look at.

Pretty sure that truck has a computer-controlled transmission with little to no mechanical control over shifting. But still, start simple and change out the fluid. There's a great write-up on here about doing it by disconnecting the transmission cooler return line and running the truck while adding new fluid at the dipstick hole, but I can't remember who wrote it.

John B.