Auto Trans Acting Weird

[gav_vx_man Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close gav_vx_man]

Hi there,
just wondering if anyone has had trouble with autos in this model before. Mine seems to be fine on the highway untill i give it a boot full and it then seems to not be able to follow how hard i am accelerating as it just changes gears very fast all the way till last gear.
It then fixes itself by when you come to a dead stop and it is fine again.
It will also do the same thing if you are crawling in traffic.
Can anyone help me diagnose the problem

[gav_vx_man Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close gav_vx_man]

Re: Auto Trans Acting Weird

Oh and also when it is acting weird i know it, cause it does like a really sloppy shift through one of the gears like it can't pick, and then it actually sticks in gear so to speak. You can be cruising down the highway and back off and it acts like a manual, it holds the gear and pulls the car up, it doesn't let the revs die down and coast along like an auto usually does.

[MRW82 Member Find all posts View Profile Close MRW82]

Re: Auto Trans Acting Weird

ok, start off with the simple stuff, Have you checked the transmission fluid level? if it's low it can do all kinds of crazy stuff.
next thing what does the fluid look like? is it nice and pink/red or has it turned brown and burnt or even blackish. it might be due for a filter and oil change/flush.

depending on km's and when it was done last, i'd be getting the transmission serviced and flushed anyway. if that doesn't work then it's time to take it to a specialist (not a toyota dealer, I said SPECIALIST). you're probably best off taking it there for a service anyway.

good luck.

[gav_vx_man Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close gav_vx_man]

Re: Auto Trans Acting Weird

Hey
i actually forgot to mention, i just changed the trans fluid cause thats what i thought it was, and let me tell you, to get that level right is so hard and i thought i had it good.
My mechanic mate checked the levels out for me when he done a check over on it a couple of weeks ago.
I was going to take it somewhere in the new year to get it checked out properly cause i had a commodore do this similar thing to me once and it was the solenoids in the gearbox were gone.

[Tony&Tracey Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tony&Tracey]

Re: Auto Trans Acting Weird

Hi,

just as a minor point, have you used the correct tranny fluid? for example the fords now use a different mix of tranny oil than the older style dextron2. if you use the old style, the new 4 speed ford autos play up badly. just a thought, not trying to be smart !!

i spent 16 years in sales of transimssions parts, and as the saying goes, if i have a penny for every time......, well lets say i have a new prado in the garage ! easy mistakes can happen, and spare parts guys can make mistakes

regards Tony

[gav_vx_man Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close gav_vx_man]

Re: Auto Trans Acting Weird

Hey
yeah i have the gregorys hand book and it said that you use dexron 3, so that is what i have used.
But it was playing up before i changed the oil cause it was due for the change, although it wasn't playin up as much
all your help is appreciated guys
thanks

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Re: Auto Trans Acting Weird

Sounds electrical ? do these autos have a transmission computer ? I would get Toyota to plug in a diagnostic scanning tool on it

[Goose Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Goose]

Re: Auto Trans Acting Weird

Hey mate, have you checked your error codes?

I had exactly the same issue, checking the ECU, it showed a Throttle Position Sensor fault.

Swapping it out fixed the issue.

Always thought the auto gearbox had a bit of a sloppy shift, it is so much better with the new TPS, must have be marginally screwed for some time.

[Clarky01 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Clarky01]

Re: Auto Trans Acting Weird

It may be a little late, but check the air flow sensor. I had a dirty M.A.F on a series 2 Discovery which was causing the gearbox to change irregularly. I think I first read about something similar on LCOOL.

[cammo558 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cammo558]

Re: Auto Trans Acting Weird

Hey mate, ive got a 1999, auto. i had the same problem except mine would shuddler and felt like she was going to fall apart. Turned out she needed a major service. there is a place where i live called G&T auto. wasnt to bad on pricing. havent had any trouble since