Sluggish acceleration, gear changes with abs and trc lights

[2000Prado]

Hey Jim,
That's what I was thinking initially! Grinding noise is only while accelerating in D (i.e. moving). The light is almost always on, which means the abs presumably is deactivated, but if and only if the light doesn't come on when I start up then I get the grinding noise. It makes more sense that it would be the abs playing up. Presumably putting it into 4wd switched the abs off automatically and then it didn't turn back on when I put it back in H. Now I remember, when the grinding noise happens, 3 of the wheels (front right and both rear) light up on the traction display on the dash. While probably not cheap, hopefully the abs is cheaper than the tranny!
Thanks for the instructions. Will look at doing the MAF when I find time while I wait to get it serviced. Hopefully that eliminates some of the problems.
Cheers

[bigjimg]

Is the grinding noise happening while your moving or stationary? If it is while your moving it may be your ABS is activating, especially since the light is on, it will make a grinding noise.Will also benefit from a transmission full pan off service. Clean MAF with MAF sensor spray. Disconnect neg battery terminal then remove MAF sensor and apply liberal spray to clean, let dry thoroughly and turn lights on, depress brake pedal wait a couple of minutes then re connect battery cable. This will reset the ECU. Good luck with it.
Jim

[2000Prado]

Thanks for the reply!
I thought of the tranny fluid level and will have a look, and I'll also have a look at the MAF sensor which I've seen mentioned on other threads. I'll see if I can find the accelerator pedal cable and transmission throttle cable as well and have a look at those.
I'll see if I can figure out the mystery of codes, but hopefully the mechanic I'm getting it to will be able to figure that one out.
With regards to the 2wd, I did mean the AWD sorry. Stickshifted it into 4wd and then back to H after a few metres and the grinding hasn't happened since (have started it up 10 to 15 times since). Definitely will talk to someone who know more about the tranny though and hope it isn't too expensive.
I'm glad to hear about the rocker cover gaskets. 2 mechanics mentioned it as needing doing (one pre-purchase inspection), but its just a small seep down the back of the engine - no oil under the car or anything. If it doesn't need doing that cuts a few hundred bucks off the repair bill which is nice at least!
Thanks again! Am trying to find time to sort it out in a busy schedule, but will post back when I have an update.

[RedAdventureWagon]

May be worth checking the transmission throttle cable adjustment - this might help with your kickdown issue.

As for performance, you can check the transmission fluid level - do this as per the manual - warmed up and with the engine running. Cleaning the MAF also seemed to help for me, certainly seemed a bit more responsive. And also check the accelerator pedal cable, maybe this is out of adjustment and preventing you getting to full throttle.

Not sure about ABS and VSC as mine doesn't have these, but worth checking trouble codes just in case these errors are stored there, you can see if it's a sensor etc. Essentially you short two pins in the diagnostic connector and read dash light flashes.

Also not sure about you putting it into 2WD? The 90 series doesn't have a 2WD drive mode, the normal road mode 'HH' is AWD. I guess you need to determine if the grinding is coming from the AT or the transfer case and then work from there. Sounds like tranny specialist time though

Wouldn't worry about the rocker cover gaskets. Leaks here are a factory standard anti-rust mechanism. I don't think there is a 5VZ in the world without a rocker cover leak.

[2000Prado]

Hey guys,
First post here re a 2000 GXL petrol auto I recently bought cheap. Bought it to move for work, with plans to do needed repairs after a few months pending $$. Knew it needed a few things fixed when I bought it (including slow seep from rocker cover gasket). Since buying, I've done a 2000km outback drive, during which a few issues became apparent:
1. Sluggish acceleration. Can take a while to get the revs up even after stomping on the pedal. It varies but sometimes especially soon after starting can have your foot on the floor for 5-10sec before the revs pick up or drops a gear. Once you get power you get it hard though. Really struggles up hills sometimes. Drives fine on a flat outback highway but go to overtake a road train at 100 and it can take 5+sec with the foot on the floor before it responds at all, but then gives good acceleration.
2. Gear changes feel sluggish as well, and can be jerky especially going from 1st to 2nd.
3. Maybe unrelated, but the abs and traction control lights came on at one point when I started the engine and have been on almost all the time since.
4. This one has me beat. Happened maybe 5 to 10 times. Sometimes when you start, car will move fine in R and will idle forwards in D but as soon as you touch the accelerator in D, you get this loud (tranny?) grinding noise. Turn it off and on again and it might be fine. At one point after a stop in the middle of the drive it just kept doing this until I put it in 4wd for a few metres, then put it back in 2wd and it hasn't done it since then. I did notice that this grinding issue happened when the abs and TRC lights weren't on. Start up and the lights are on, drives fine. Starts up and the lights aren't on, grinds. I don't know if that's a genuine association but has me thinking it's an electronic issue?
Sorry for the long post. Things I've thought of: air flow sensor, some sort of throttle sensor issue, transmission issue, multiple issues. Hoping there's a few relatively simple fixes, but getting more worried it might be a money sink. Gonna get it seen soon, but just wondering if anyone has any suggestions. Warning in advance, but I know half of nothing about the stuff under the bonnet.
Thanks!