My '99 4runner's auto tranny developed a strange issue yesterday. When the car is cold, 1st gear will not engage fully...it slips when shifted into Drive or second. However, if you pull it down to Low or First (however it's designated) the trans works without issue.

Am I going to need a new trans or is there something else I should try first?

Thanks!

Details -- 99 4runner limited, 4x4. 92k total miles, TRD supercharged since 37k miles. Tranny fluid drain and top (via pan) every 15k or so with full fluid service at 50k.

I don't know anything about auto transmissions, but what kind of fluid are you using? Toyota, Mobil 1, etc?

Been using OEM up until this point.

I think your supercharger did the transmission in... Check out: http://www.gadgetonline.com/Transmission.htm --- The supercharger puts too much torque on the tranny w/o it being upgraded. You're probably looking at doin' the tranny (which isn't made by toyota btw). Best of luck though.. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I'm planning to SC my 99 too... What did you do to correct the lean condition/ping common after sc?

Well, this is a first for me although I'm by no means an auto trans expert.

My fiance normally drives this car, I drive it once a week, maybe. When I drove it on Sunday, all was well. But, as I posted earlier the transmission started acting up on Tuesday.

Well, I noticed, after letting it sit overnight, that the battery was very weak (original 6 year old battery) when I tried to start it on Wednesday morning. This was also the time the problem showed (it did not show tuesday night). So, my philosphy being to always fix what I know is wrong first, I put a new battery in yesterday. I waited about 5 hours before restarting and all was well. Changed the fluid last night as it is almost due anyway. And, went to bed hoping for the best.

Got up this morning, the trans problem is gone. Since 1st worked properly when that gear was selected, my only thought is that the low battery was somehow causing some voltage spikes/dips that was freaking the tranny electronic control unit out and not fully engaging first when Drive was selected and the computer was to control it.

Oh well, I've staved off that replacement for a bit.

As to your question about the lean condition, I run an oldschool maxxpower kit with uprated injectors and an S-AFC. I don't even know if those guys are still around???

And, as to why i don't have an upgraded trans in this, I have a levelten trans in my yukon. I hate it. The thing shifts too hard on the 1-2 shift. It's fine for that truck and for towing but not for everyday driving. Everytime someone rides in the truck, they ask me what's wrong. I'm not sure if the 4runner trans is the same way or not. I'm not going to do that to the 4runner until I can ride in someone elses. Many people have had problems with level10 in the past. It took about 20 phone calls and 3 months for them to credit my core charge back to my card. So....unless you just do the valve body (which isn't going to prevent all trans failures) you're going to pay about the same in the end. My fiance drives the car very gently, so I figure I'll just wait....

Well that's great news!!! It sounds like you really take good care of that 4runner too. I'm sure it will hold up well.

I have not heard those issues regarding the transmission upgrade. I'll definetly check into it more before going ahead with the project. I'm not crazy about racing around.... but would like a bit more oomph. And it would help with towing.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Wonder when my tranny is gonna go =/ Got 35's on it, no SC yet though.

have the shift solenoids checked by a qualified mechanic. just had two replaced on my 1990 runner for what sound like the same problem. $400.00 and runs fine now. a tranny diagnostic test should find any computer error readings if the proplem is the same. about $60.00.

Interesting --

Mine didn't trigger any codes but they may have been erased when I swapped batteries if they weren't stored. After I swapped batteries, I drove it up to one of my friend's shops and he scanned it with his snap-on MODIS elite. No codes:(

Thanks for the suggestion, though. If it happens again, this may give me a great lead on troubleshooting;)