80 Series Transmission Problems

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

M

matyw

10 Year
Joined
Feb 16, 2011
Threads
16
Messages
45
Location
Republic of Panama, Wasaga Beach, Ontario
Hello,

I am hoping that someone can shed some light on my auto transmission concerns.

I recently replaced my engine (1HD-T) and rad in my 1993 80 series Land cruiser.

Since then I blew a hose between my transmission and my new rad and had all of the ATF on the roadside. The first symptom was the ending revving up and not going anywhere. It went again for a bit and pulled over once I could get out of traffic.

After many struggles trying to get the fluid levels correct I now have it right. (At the high mark on the hot notch with hot engine and tested while running)

Now when I start the truck it doesn't engage reverse or forward for about 30 seconds. After that it seems to work okay but It made some nasty grinding noises briefly while driving.

Now I an terrified to drive it since it has been a money pit already. Overhauled it last year for $5K and now replaced the engine for $7K not to mention many other thousands on top of thousands.

Any Ideas would be helpful.

My VIN plate reads A442F K295

Thanks
Matt
 
Not the transmission expert and maybe not your problem but FWIW the A442F has a known issue with solenoids going bad, and then there's the cable that can be adjusted, but don't recall any of those causing grinding noises?? Do a search for A442 (or A442F)+solenoids or just A442. Wait a bit for more responses. Welcome to Mud :flipoff2: (Mud salute)
 
Last edited:
If you ran it without fluid you should pull the transmission pan and check the filter. It's probably a solenoid issue if the only problem is shifting.
 
I had all 4 solenoid in my a442 intermittently reach failure. There was no grinding.

Even if it is the solenoids, get ready for 150 each at discount, and there are 4 of them.

Though it is still certainly cheaper than a rebuild.
 
how does your fluid smell after you get the trans up to operating temperature? color? if it was ran for any amount of time with no fluid its probably bad now. been down this road myself this year.

FWIW, i replaced the entire trans with a unit with 100K less miles for less than the price of 3 solenoids. not including labor, as i did the work myself.
 
Nasty sounds may be drive plates, lock her up and try, or pull the dust caps and verify.
 
Thanks Everyone for the replies.

I will pull the pan and look for evidence. That helped with my blown engine when I found 2 lubricating nozzles in the oil pan.

It does shift fine when it runs. It just takes a while to engage forward or reverse. Once its warm it works but that tells me its not normal. It usually engages forward/reverse immediately even cold. Also with the nasty grinding noises I decided to park it until I know more.

I am at the bottom of the learning curve for transmissions here.

The fluid color and smell is like new because the fluid was just put in. Ran it about 10 kms on new fluid.

yOHda: where did you source your used transmission? Where are you located?

With the delay in engaging the gears, could that indicate issues with the torque converter?

What does it mean to lock it up? What are the dust caps?

I am off to pull the pan and have a look

Many Thanks to all!!!

Matt
 
I'm wondering if there's a clog in the trans cooler part of the radiator or anywhere else for that matter. Definitely drop the pan and check it out along with the filter. Also, make sure to put in the correct fluid type.
 
matyw: I think Squash maybe is referring to locking your center differential and removing the grease caps on the front axle drive plates and looking to see if the splines are stripped while moving forward ie: thinking the grinding may be from that area and not your transmission.
 
Attempting to move a vehicle with no oil in the trans can and will damage/wear out the forward clutch pack inside the trans. This will necessitate a teardown and replacement of the clutch pack. A trans shop, perhaps the one that worked on your trans can help with diagnosis. If you can find a used trans that may be your best bet.
 
Thanks all,

Wow, there are so many things that it could be.

I have someone coming this weekend to have a look.

I am using Dexron 3 compatible ATF from Amsoil (sad so see it all over the road)

I will check the flow on the ATF cooler in the rad. It is a brand high performance custom rebuilt 4 core rad just installed. I suppose that there could be blockage in the system somehow.

Will check the filter.

I dont have any diff locks. It is a left hand drive model from central america.

Some confusion comes because it drives just fine accept for the occasional grinding. All shifts are fine. In the morning when it's cold it won't engage again until its warm.

Could that mean that it's the torque converter?

Would stripped splines be caused by loosing my ATF onto the ground?

If major work is needed than I think a used tranny is the way to go. How hard is it to find a A442F transmission in North America? where they used in the gas models?

There were fine filings in the pan. I'm unsure of how much is from normal ware over the years. Nothing too drastic there. Magnets covered in metallic sludge and filings.

Thanks
Matt
 
matyw: did you take any photos of the sludge and filings in your transmission pan? The A442F was used in the gasoline versions in NA, but there may be some slight differences in the valve body settings or torque convertor IIRC compared to diesel models. The stripped splines Squash was referring to are in the front axle and not related to your transmission. You could also post in the diesel forum; you may get additional advice there.
 
Changed my mind...tranny!

Look for "Parts" within the forum

Is your tranny electronic as with an Overdrive button on purely mechanical, 1,2,3 and D
 
It won't be a solenoid issue because they only operate the 4 forward gears in the D position. It will be either a line pressure problem, or worn clutches/brakes.
 
I have PRND2L and a button for o/d

What parts should i search for. A used tranny?

I tried to photograph the filings. 2 images attached.
IMG_0041.webp
IMG_0046.webp
 
I suspect the torque converter based on the symptoms.
I am seeing enough evidence of damage in the oil pan that I am pulling the tranny.
Also it seems to have a lot of mileage and has probably been messed with before.
I bought the truck in Panama where they seem to do a band aid fix for everything.
Anyone have a low mileage electronic used A442F tranny available?
I will have the torque converter cut open this week.
 
I have a problem with the a442f transmission and it is the following: when I try to go up from a medium slope the car does not go up and the revs remain at 1500 rpm
 
If you can't climb a hill, and the engine rpm doesn't increase when you try, the problem is horsepower, not the transmission.

If the transmission was the problem, the engine rpm would increase with no noticeable increase in speed (that's the definition of slipping).
 
I don't see a problem on a flat road. If I accelerate it a lot the rpm go up to 3500 rpm and more. the problem is starting from zero km going up a hill.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom