Delayed engagement transmission issue

[NoobMudder]

Hello.
I am new to this forum but I looked through FAQ section and searched the posts before asking this question.
I purchased LC 100 2004 140K miles. The problem is that when I shift to Drive or Reverse there is a ~2sec delay and the car barely pulls itself. When I got it initially VSC lights were on but I disconnected the battery for overnight and no lights anymore. Transmission problem still persist though.
I was hoping to make an off-road rig but I feel like I am in gor some serious $$$.
Person before me knows nothing about cars. I can do repairs but prefer to start with simple steps.
Does anyone have a good suggestion?
Where can I find manual for replacing transmission fluid?

 

[oakback]

Have you checked the fluid level? I haven't had this issue in my LC, but I had a very similar problem in an old Ford. It was low on fluid, there was a small leak.

 

[hkeller]

I have this issue on my 2004at 83K miles. I changed to synthetic fluid and that seemed to help. It also drops slightly hard into OD, but only when it is cold out and only the first time it shifts into OD. I am at 138K miles now and no change, so I am just going to drive it.

 

[2001LC]

Sound like low transmission fluid level. I hate that Toyota took out dip stick in 2004, make checking more difficult. Look for leaks and check level at transmission.
If you can't read this look here for FSM:Factory Service Manual ( FSM)

 

[Sandroad]

Here is a very complete thread on changing the transmission fluid. If you are having transmission shifting issues, you may want to consider doing this. I use only Toyota World Service (WS) transmission fluid in my '04. If you use anything else, make absolutely certain it's compatible with your transmission. To start with, you could just do a drain and refill with about 4 quarts of new fluid. That may help, but will only get about 1/4 fresh fluid in there. In any event, new fluid is where I would start with anything related to transmission shifting because it's cheap and easy! Do you happen to know if your truck has even been in deep water? Any service history? Just resetting the dash lights may not have solved an underlying problem, so you may want to do some searches on why the VSC light was on to begin with?

WS ATF Flush Procedure

 

[NoobMudder]

I will get it into garage this weekend and try to verify the fluid level.

I am not sure if it ever been into deep water but I guess I will find out when I see the color of ATF.

Service history is only available up to 100K and its been serviced at the dealership. Transmission has been replaced at 40K due to hard shifting but the dealership. But there are no complaints for next 60K miles, even during 90K service and brlt change

 

[Sandroad]

Wow, the plot thickened on this one! Transmission already replaced at only 40K miles. Hmmmm.............maybe it is just low fluid, but it seems to me if the fluid were low enough to cause shift issues there would be noticeable leak with at least residue on a seal or gasket. If the VSC light comes on again, don't just reset it; try to get the code read so you know what's going on.

 

[NoobMudder]

Update:
I checked the fluid color and it was not burned so I added 300ml of ATF WS. Delay is gone. But I couldnt uncrew Check

I ordered a cable with the software to do more diagnostics with computer.

 

[NoobMudder]

Could not uncrew Check bolt. Its a big PITA. I even used 1/2" impactor that I use or big lugs.

Delay is gone now and I drove around the block. At one point when I got to 30mph one gear kicked and I lost a little power. I took another test drive and didnt see any problems. Gonna buy a filter and a seal and do a fluid refill some time later.

I discovered that my PWR and 2nd dash light burned out as well as some other lights so I ordered LEDs and going to replace them too

Thank you all for your advises