So I hadn't driven the '99 SR5 in a few days and the battery was dying (time to get myself an Optima).

It had trouble starting, but that's nothing unusual. What was strange was that it ran fine in reverse, backing out of the garage. But when i put it in drive, I revved the engine to 1750 or so and it didn't move... I think the tranny was stuck in neutral. It worked fine after running the engine for about 3 minutes... I'm wondering if this had anything to do with the low battery. Evidence points in that direction, but I never knew that the transmission used battery power. Thanks for any comments.

Its not likely they are related. I suppose it is possible a shift solenoid didn't have enough power to actuate but the truck would have died long before that.

Have you checked your tranny fluid level and condition?

If a yota has trouble sarting all the time, it is unusual. We had an 85 4runner 15 feet down a mine shaft, spent 5 hours in the middle of the night (yes alcohol was involved) winching it out. That bad boy started up first try. 2 roll overs and a 98 and 95 started right up. It is not a jeep. Dont get me wrong i love jeeps, but...well...its a jeep thing. thats why i drive a toyota.
If the truck was running i think your alternator would be putting out plenty enough to actuate that solonoid.
I second the tranny fluid check. Did you change the oil in the tranny to something different or new?

I've experienced the same problem and it happened to me twice. Oil level is fine, my battery is fine. I own 99 limited 4WD.
Does anyone have any ideas
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