2000 Land Cruiser Transmission Failure

[mikesurfs]

A friendly warning to any 2000my Land cruiser owners. I've done alot of reading, searching, and investigating on this problem. My LC just dumped its tranny at 90k. I've heard of alot of other 2k 100's also dumping their trans around this time frame.

I was one of those people who had warning signs and didn't follow them so learn from my very expensive mistake.

If your trans is making any noise in Overdrive and the sound disappears when you turn the overdrive off....see a tranny shop. If I had gone to a tranny shop before my catastrophic failure, things might be costing alot less. Heed any warning signs or funny noises in any 2000my LC transmission. A tranny shop can isolate and replace the defective parts before they break and grenade your trans. This is a known issue and OEM Toyota Rebuilt transmissions have these weak parts improved.

A stealership will not rebuild your trans, a trans shop will. A trans shop will also warranty their work and the parts installed.

The original quote was over $4000.00. I'm gonna pay alot less because I'm a "Negotiator"!....mind your 2k LC tranny...if it talks, listen, and fix as a preventative measure. There is also a TSB about this issue.

Much respect,

Mike.

 

[Gabby]

Ours (a 2K) ate itself when barely under warranty a few years back. Gave no warning that I can recall. Screen packed up with metal shavings and it quit pulling while driving home from Texas in the dark of the wee hours......the Toyota rebuilt unit installed under warranty has been fine so far.......

 

[uzj100]

HOw many miles did you have on the 2000 when it happened?

 

[2000UZJ]

Explain noise... a hum, gggrrrr sound. I have I when overdrive is off. Also at stop lights I get a strong bass and slight vibe. I ussually put it in nuetral and it kills the sound.

 

[Gabby]

IIRC, the original tranny on ours packed up at about 58K or so. Truck has 105K on it now.

Presently trying to decide whether to renew just the starter contacts/plunger or the entire starter. Consensus seems to be that the actual starter motor is quite robust so keep on using it. (sorry for the partial hijack)

 

[rcwiak]

My 2000 LC just started making noise in OD, quits when shifted out of OD. What will this cost to repair (estimated cost to repair)?

 

[TheFuzz]

Costs vary depending on whats wrong. See and trans shop, get an estimate. New (reman) trannys are over $4K. A rebuild should be significantly less.

 

[2000UZJ]

would a flush help prevent this? mine is making noise and I have yet to flush at 140K

 

[NMuzj100]

would a flush help prevent this? mine is making noise and I have yet to flush at 140K

Probably not. Most year 2000 transmissions have died with beautiful blood red fluid in them. Bad batch of internal parts. If it lasted this long then you'll probably have no issues.

Are you saying your transmission has never had new fluid ? Then yes it needs it.You'll be surprised by how much better it shifts.

 

[Tinkerer]

Can anyone advise the auto transmissions used for different years of 100 series, or post a link to something? (Google is not yielding anything to my one-cup-of-coffee-fueled early morning attempts...)

Wondering how my 1999 compares to subsequent years...So far the tranny has been OK, now at 142k miles. (Knock on wood)

 

[2000UZJ]

Probably not. Most year 2000 transmissions have died with beautiful blood red fluid in them. Bad batch of internal parts. If it lasted this long then you'll probably have no issues.

Are you saying your transmission has never had new fluid ? Then yes it needs it.You'll be surprised by how much better it shifts.

Never been flushed since we bought it. The service guy said I needed to do it, but the tech that works on the cruisers said not to do it since he has seen to many "high mileage" trans (not LC specific) fail after a fluid change. He also stated the gunk holds it together in some areas and when removed they can come apart... I don't buy it, do you?

 

[TheFuzz]

It's a toss up, Nick. There was a lengthy thread about flushes vs pan drops a couple weeks back. I think that the consensus was that as long as you're not using a pressurized backflushing machine, then you're good.

Most new "flush" machines are actually just fancy fluid exchangers that don't exert any abnormal high-pressure forces on the trans. Ask about the equipment that your shop is using, and as long as it's not a high pressure system then you're good to go IMO.

I think I'll just do the cooler line disconnect method when I do mine.

 

[hoser]

Can anyone advise the auto transmissions used for different years of 100 series, or post a link to something? (Google is not yielding anything to my one-cup-of-coffee-fueled early morning attempts...)

Wondering how my 1999 compares to subsequent years...So far the tranny has been OK, now at 142k miles. (Knock on wood)

A343F for '98-'02 and A750F for '03-'07. This is in regards to US market 100's.

 

[NMuzj100]

Just get new fluid in there. If you are using cheap fluid then several drain and fills at oil changes is a viable option. My guess is your trans is still very clean inside.

I think the cooler line disconnect is probably even better than machine exchanges.

 

[uzj100]

Just did a drain and fill at 174k. I will do this at the next 3 oil changes (5000 mile interval) as recommended by the Toyota tech. I hope I am not jinxing myself by posting on the board. ;<)

 

[pman]

Never been flushed since we bought it. The service guy said I needed to do it, but the tech that works on the cruisers said not to do it since he has seen to many "high mileage" trans (not LC specific) fail after a fluid change. He also stated the gunk holds it together in some areas and when removed they can come apart... I don't buy it, do you?

I told you too flush your trans 3 months ago....

It worked wonders both our 100s

If your hasnt died yet, its not one of the bad ones......that said the way you treat it will probably kill it anyways

 

[2000UZJ]

I told you too flush your trans 3 months ago....

It worked wonders both our 100s

If your hasnt died yet, its not one of the bad ones......that said the way you treat it will probably kill it anyways

Have you heard that grind/pop I have when I go from 1st to 2nd?

I heard a clank earlier today, thought I ran into something, I got out and looked... then remembered I couldn't tell if I hit something if I looked hard enough... I really need a new paint job

 

[tnlandcruiser]

I think I have some hard decisions to make..

Today my 2000LC just started making noises in Overdrive (right at 120,000 miles). Cuts in around 65-75 mph (usualy 70ish) and is a low growl that crescendos the more you push it. Back off it, and it stops immediately. Plan to make an interstate run with OD turned off later tonight. I pulled my dipstick and ran it across a paper towel, at first it looked ok, but when I walked out into the sunlight glints of shiny steel caught my eye - smaller than a grain of sand, and I get about 2-3 of them per dip. So......

After reading the OP, I am tempted to get to a tranny shop - but at the same time I worry that could be buying trouble if someone who doesn't know TLC trannys gets in there and makes a mess. However paying the estimated (from others on the forum) $4k for a rebuilt tranny at the dealer would mean taking out a small repair loan on a truck I still owe money on....

Thanks to this forum I have been vigilant about my transmission and I'm glad I THINK I've caught it early

So a few questions, and any answers are appreciated:

Should I be safe to drive in "OD OFF" for a few days/weeks/months? If I don't USE OD will it keep the issue from getting worse?

Thoughts on "Get it rebuilt now" vs "Wait till she blows then get a reman."

Anyone know a good tranny shop in the Knoxville TN area with LandCruiser experience?

Anyone know a ballpark on a rebuild? Anyone had this done? Anyone else caught this in time?


I hate hate hate that this seems to be happening, but at the same time, it's something I've been dreading for a year now since I found out about 00-01 issues. It will be a relief to have that behind me - already has a new timing belt, water pump, all new fluids, etc. A "newish" tranny and I'll be ready to ride this one into the sunset. Plan on keeping it a LONG time.

 

[OregonLC]

Sorry TN!

I keep reassuring myself that there's a > 95% chance that we will not have a problem. I guess that's better than the odds of unemployment, cancer, or getting divorced. Slightly worse, however, than my chances of hooking up with Jen Aniston. Not much, but slightly.

 

[marshotel]

First, I would just exchange the fluid and see if that fixes it.
While you're at it; drop the pan and see what is stuck to the magnets.
Take a picture.
Post it here.

If you take it to a tranny shop, let us know what they tell you.
I am interested in seeing how this plays out.