Yesterday on my way home with my cousin, we were going up a mountain, all was well, til I got about 1/3 of the way up, my cousin says, your check trans light is flashing. I figure, ok no big deal, its time for a filter change and fluid flush anyways. So I get to the top of the mountain, figure, all I have to do is shut down and restart. So I cut it, restarted it and its still flashing. I figure, i'll disconnect the battery cable for a few seconds and that might clear it. That didnt work either. So, I figure I'll drop my cousin off at his house and limp home. I figured Id try the manual shift thing, well it seemed like it skipped right over second gear. So I figure I'll just try and leave it in third. So I get home check the fluid level, its normal, but its burnt. So, I disconnect the battery completely for a few hours, come back out, and its working normally. Ok, I guess I just abused it too hard, enjoying my new exhaust work. Then this morning, I figured Id go to cabelas and pick some stuff up for hunting season, I got about half way there, again going up a mountain and the light flickered again. So, I just turn around and head back home again. I stopped at my cousins, and put in 2 bottles of tranny fluid, that seemed to help again. Lights out, shifting perfectly normal. Going up a mountain again, and it came on. NOw my guess is that the tranny fluid, about 40,000 miles old has been through its paces and can't deal with the higher temps. So, I know a guy who will do the flush and filter change cheap, comes into Advance auto all the time, I figure I'll get that done and have him install a tranny fluid cooler too. Lately I've been having a good run of bad luck. First my rear blows, then my mileage is suffering, then install the new exhaust, which still needs to be adjusted cause it hits the fender. Now this. This is all on a 92 Rodeo with the 3.1 and auto. Does it seem like Im on the right track, with the old fluid, and higher temps not allowing the fluid to work right and throw the tranny into limp mode. When its cool, and with the TC locked, its fine. But as soon as it goes up hills and mountains, it just throws the light. The tranny doesnt seem hotter than normal either. I love my Rodeo, but, Im getting tired of putting more money into it. Im seriously thinking about selling it and buying a Ranger or some other pickup, and possibly going to a manual tranny as well. Any insight would be appreciated, and some ideas confirming Im on the right track here. Thanks

Dan

Dan:

The easiest thing to try that won't break the bank will be a fluid replacement(filter too).

Check out the following site:

http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/trans_atf.html

I have not used this stuff, but a lot of guys on various Toyota forums swear up and down by it. You may be able to find it at NAPA and Car Quest auto parts stores.

Good luck.

Thanks, I talked to a mechanic, I work at advance auto, the guy runs a tranny repair shop and said he will do the filter, fluid and fluid flush and mount a tranny cooler for me. And he said hed do it for me really cheap. Between lastnight, this morning and tonight, Its been fine. Though it hasnt had the chance to warm up much. I think the problem is the fact that the old fluid is unable to deal with the heat and just loses its integrity all together throwing the tranny in limp mode. Which seems to me, it should make the tranny slip even more, creating more heat because the converters not locked. So far, things dont look too bad. I ended up putting 2 quarts of tranny fluid in to give the old fluid a little bit of life back. Im going have this done tuesday after class. He said he do a quick check on it, to make sure everything is still fine. I might see if I can get him to maybe knock some of the crud off the tranny. Like I said, everything seems to be running perfect when its cold, which is what leads me to believe it is what I have said. I need to get this ficed because I have to get down to cabelas before this weekend (opening weekend for archery season here in PA) Thanks for your help

Dan

Well, turns out i need a rebuild. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> But I dont think Im going to get that done. I think my rodeo will be up for sale soon. It really sucks because I just now got everything, almost everything the way I wanted it. But, the tranny rebuild is going to cost me more than the truck is worth. Im now in the market for a newer truck. Something along the lines of a Pickup, preferably a Ranger, and this time needs to be a stick. Although I wouldnt mind the P'up with the V6 and stick. But this time Im going for something with a bit more power. Also, i may be posting my snowflakes for sale or my current american racing rims. I'll sell whatever I get the best price on, including tires. I'll know for sure this weekend after I talk with my dad, about all this. Geez, just when you think things are starting to work out for the better, things get twisted around and bite ya in the <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> . Well. I'll still be here, and still be posting my ideas and any projects i might think could apply to you guys. I really like my rodeo, but its just not feasable to keep it any longer.

Dan <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I feel for you dude. I'm on my second tranny (auto) and are experiencing similar issues. I would do a search and then get a second opinion. In my last post a few suggested that it may not be a rebuild issue but an electrical issue. Personally, I'm going to drive it until it explodes on me. That sure beats driving a Ford Ranger. That was my previous vehicle and I went through three manual trannies and it was an extreme rarity that it seen any off-road driving. In fact it was nearly all highway driving. My 2 cents.

Well, its definitely not an electrical issue. I have tranny fluid everywhere underneath the vehicle now. I was on the interstate, figured if I can keep it locked in overdrive, wouldnt have too many issues. I was wrong. Just before my exit, it went into limp mode. I look back and theres smoke behind me. Seemed the faster I went, the more smoke there was. Got home, crawled under there and sure enough, everything on the passenger side is soaked in fluid. I dont know where its comming from though. Odd thing is, im not low on tranny fluid, not yet atleast. I just dont have the money to drop on a tranny or rebuild. For a rebuild, im looking at 1300 for the tranny plus about 500 for labor. I think Im just going to pull it off the road, get a loan and buy something newer. It will be a 4x4, 6 or 8 cyl and stick. Preferably with low mileage. This spring Im going to need something that will reliable get me to and from school in harrisburg to philly or the poconos. I just cant trust the rodeo any more to go that far. I wish it wouldnt have come down to this though. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Dan