Arrrrrrgggg.... transmission issues please help

[Bigstar]

The nightmare just turned to reality... yesterday I started my FJ62 and headed off to work... it wouldn't shift into OD... it just revved to like 5000 rpm. I checked the fluid and level is fine. I finally got it to start shifting once it warmed up... temp was 80 degrees out. Later in the day I stopped at the store and when I started and put it in reverse it wouldn't engage in reverse. After putting it in park and the reverse 3 times it finally engaged.
This morning same thing.... I couldn't get it to shift into OD. After a couple starts in L then shift to 1 - 2 - 3 - OD it finally started driving normally. Once it's going and warms up it seems to be shifting fine and drives fine on the highway.

The truck has 200 miles... not sure of the history and I've owned it for 2 years and never changed fluid....

Any thoughts?

 

[Seth S]

Not an expert on this transmission but it sounds like the valve body isn't moving properly. Easy question is when was the last time you changed your filter and fluid?

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Not an expert on this transmission but it sounds like the valve body isn't moving properly. Easy question is when was the last time you changed your filter and fluid?

^^^^ he states ‘owned it two years and never changed the fluid.’ Duh.

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

Pull the transmission fluid plug and check for shavings... I’ll add some info here as a copy and paste that a mud person emailed me regarding automatic transmissions. I was quite enlightened.

“automatic transmissions have clutch packs inside the housing that are splined to planetary gear sets via a drum. The planet sets control the output shaft gear ratio. When they overheat the clutches can burn...turn black and crisp and start to crumble. Once this happens the transmission fluid will transport bits of burnt clutch material to the pan. The end result is slipping clutches and the transmission will be unable to hold some or all of its gears. ie it just rev's and no next gear. Some call them "friction plates".

the clutches are activated by the valve body. The valve body is the "brains" of the transmission. Really its just a small aluminum block with all sorts of small oil passages and valves. It senses input from the speed governor and the vacuum modulator (reads engine vacuum) and outputs hydraulic pressure to passages that feed to the different clutch packs.”

 

[SteveH]

I would drain the transmission pan, pull it, check the filter, and if all looks good, refill with fresh fluid and see how it behaves. Beyond that, either read up on the Party Trick or see this as an opportunity for an H55.

 

[FJACS]

FWIW Ive read varying suggestions that a high quality synthetic fluid (amsoil has one that meets specs) can dissolve the deposits that gum up a valve body. No idea on the reality of this.

 

[portlandcruiser]

The nightmare just turned to reality... yesterday I started my FJ62 and headed off to work... it wouldn't shift into OD... it just revved to like 5000 rpm. I checked the fluid and level is fine. I finally got it to start shifting once it warmed up... temp was 80 degrees out. Later in the day I stopped at the store and when I started and put it in reverse it wouldn't engage in reverse. After putting it in park and the reverse 3 times it finally engaged.
This morning same thing.... I couldn't get it to shift into OD. After a couple starts in L then shift to 1 - 2 - 3 - OD it finally started driving normally. Once it's going and warms up it seems to be shifting fine and drives fine on the highway.

The truck has 200 miles... not sure of the history and I've owned it for 2 years and never changed fluid....

Any thoughts?

Good luck. I’m going to follow along and see how this turns out. Unfortunately I don’t have any answers for you. My experience ends at replacing the filter and fluid.

 

[g-man]

One other thing that controls shifting obviously is the shifter on the side of the transmission. These can get mis aligned with the shifter in the floor but would not be affected by heat or warming up. If they are off ...they will be off until corrected.

 

[g-man]

Most likely burned clutches. Drop the pan. drain the oil look for burned clutch material in the bottom of the pan. If you have it there's no easy fix. You will have to replace or rebuild.

 

[Seth S]

^^^^ he states ‘owned it two years and never changed the fluid.’ Duh.

Ha missed the last line. Guess I shouldn't be browsing mud during a business meeting.