Speedo won’t go above 80 - new transmission valve body?

[longdog Member Find all posts View Profile Close longdog]

I just had a Toyota dealer fit a re-conditioned KD engine after cylinder #3 lost all compression.

After fitting, they took it for a test drive and said it won’t go above 3rd gear (auto) and the speedo won’t go above 80km/h (even if the car does).

They tell me it now needs a new transmission valve body at approx $4K.

There was nothing wrong with the transmission or speedo prior to the engine refit.

The speedo problem rings a red flag for me. Could the speedo problem be causing the transmission problem? Any ideas? Could they have disturbed a speed sensor during the refit which is now causing a transmission problem?

edit for info: 2008 D4D auto with ABS. 260,000km

[RedAdventureWagon Member Find all posts View Profile Close RedAdventureWagon]

Certainly the A/T needs to know the speed amongst other things to decide on the gear, so your theory is certainly plausible.

[Guest Close Guest]

Sounds speed sensor related. And was working when it went in, Toyota creating other issues isn't your issue, should be on their coin. Stand your ground. Are Toyota covering any of the recon costs, as its likely the old number 3 piston cracking issue that is raising its head every couple days now.

[longdog Member Find all posts View Profile Close longdog]

Thanks, Piggy.

No, they haven’t offered to cover any re-con engine costs.

They are sending it to a transmission specialist on Friday. I have tried suggesting to them that they resolve the speedo problem prior to spending money on the transmission, but they say they have fault codes pointing to the valve body.

I asked them to email me the fault codes yesterday, and reminded them again today, but so far no email.

[Guest Close Guest]

Thanks, Piggy.

No, they haven’t offered to cover any re-con engine costs.

They are sending it to a transmission specialist on Friday. I have tried suggesting to them that they resolve the speedo problem prior to spending money on the transmission, but they say they have fault codes pointing to the valve body.

I asked them to email me the fault codes yesterday, and reminded them again today, but so far no email.

Maybe mention to them, you are considering having another mechanic look over the car to gain a second opinion.

[longdog Member Find all posts View Profile Close longdog]

I got the fault codes emailed:

P0776 – Pressure Control Solenoid B Performance or stuck off
P0607 – Input Signal Circuit
P0607 – Control Module Performance
P2714 – Pressure Control Solenoid D Performance or stuck off

[longdog Member Find all posts View Profile Close longdog]

To me, the P0607’s could easily be speed sensor related, and the other two transmission codes could plausibly use vehicle speed data to regulate the transmission fluid pressure.

I have emailed back this evening stating that I won’t touch the transmission until the speedo issue is resolved.

If necessary, I will take the vehicle away for another opinion. Thanks, Piggy. That was the way I was leaning - good to have some moral support!

Cheers

[RedAdventureWagon Member Find all posts View Profile Close RedAdventureWagon]

I think you're making the correct choice. Transmission issues or not if you can go above 80 in real life but can't go above 80 on the speedo then clearly there's a speed sensor or speedo issue somewhere.

If they are still being arseholes about it I'd get an option from my own tranny specialist and if he diagnoses and fixes speed sensor issues then maybe you'll have a case to take to Toyota to get your money back for his cost.

Even if it is the valve body he'll probably be much cheaper than $4k.

Good luck mate.

[longdog Member Find all posts View Profile Close longdog]

Thanks Red,

I’m not a good fighter unless I think I have a good case.

I think I do, so I’ll take them on. Thanks for your support.

I kind of feel like I’m dealing with a mechanic who just looks at fault codes and doesn’t utilise common sense.

To me, $4000 is worth a bit of common sense.

I have RACV Total Care so I have unlimited tilt tray transport to repairers of my choice... nice

Cheers

[longdog Member Find all posts View Profile Close longdog]

Piggy, you mentioned a long history of cylinder #3 issues earlier... I wasn’t aware of that.

I actually had my injectors replaced August last year, because one was out of spec - but I’m pretty sure it wan’t number 3, I think it was number 4.

[Guest Close Guest]

Piggy, you mentioned a long history of cylinder #3 issues earlier... I wasn’t aware of that.

I actually had my injectors replaced August last year, because one was out of spec - but I’m pretty sure it wan’t number 3, I think it was number 4.

LOL.. There is entire facebook groups in relation to the failure of pistons (particularly number 3) in Prados, hiluxes and Hiace vans. Prados being the predominant one.

There is even service bulletins showing piston failure issues from Toyota. Some people have had toyota cover the rebuild/replacement. Searching here on Pradopoint will bring up many threads on blown pistons/ engines. its well known in the D4D range.

[Peterpilot Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Peterpilot]

longdog, you certainly have a case if the transmission and speedo were both working correctly before Toyota got their hands on it.

Out of curiosity, doesn't the speedo on an ABS equipped Prado get it's speed information from the ABS (skid control) ECU?
I'm sure that's the circuit I tapped into to install my speedo calibrator: https://www.pradopoint.com.au/forum/...do-calibration

[longdog Member Find all posts View Profile Close longdog]

Good news,

On my insistence, the vehicle was sent to an auto-electrician for a second opinion. They diagnosed and repaired the speedo fault, which magically restored the transmission.

Thanks for the help folks! Prado is back and longdog is very happy...

[RedAdventureWagon Member Find all posts View Profile Close RedAdventureWagon]

Great news! Just astounding how they thought the valve body was the cause, pathetic!