Slipping transmission ?

[toojayzee]

First I want to thank you all for such a great site packed with info.

The rig is a 91 80w/3fe w/222k miles. The transmission is slipping. I did the throttle cable and kickdown cable adjustments with to no avail. There is also a driveline clunk. I had just figured it was worn or broken tranny and motor mounts, but after reading on the forums im not sure.
From a stop or from a roll, when you accelerate the rpms go up but the speed doesnt increase. I am just wondering how long these trannys last. I think the PO neglected alot of maint.
Just wondering if I should run right out and rebuild or if there are some additional things I should check.

Thanks

 

[sseaman]

have you changed atf? for a few bucks its worth a try, mine needed it badly and after the first round i noticed improvement, after a few fluch and fills it should be pretty good

 

[Cruiser Jimmy]

From a stop or from a roll, when you accelerate the rpms go up but the speed doesnt increase.

Thanks

What tranny gear(s) do the engine rpm's increase? Does the tranny finally catch and engage? Can the tranny shift throughout all the gears?

A tranny rebuild is about $3000. Check Lowtideride, he's got a tranny and TC for sale if you judge that your tranny is shot.

 

[kkt]

First I want to thank you all for such a great site packed with info.

The rig is a 91 80w/3fe w/222k miles. The transmission is slipping. I did the throttle cable and kickdown cable adjustments with to no avail. There is also a driveline clunk. I had just figured it was worn or broken tranny and motor mounts, but after reading on the forums im not sure.
From a stop or from a roll, when you accelerate the rpms go up but the speed doesnt increase. I am just wondering how long these trannys last. I think the PO neglected alot of maint.
Just wondering if I should run right out and rebuild or if there are some additional things I should check.

Thanks

Good information is available at the yahoo group, 3FE group. Detailed information on various problems and fixes for Land Cruisers 1988-1993 with the 3FE motor.

 

[toojayzee]

What tranny gear(s) do the engine rpm's increase? Does the tranny finally catch and engage? Can the tranny shift throughout all the gears?

A tranny rebuild is about $3000. Check Lowtideride, he's got a tranny and TC for sale if you judge that your tranny is shot.

sseaman I havent changed the fluid yet because I figured if it was shot, I dont want to dump a bunch of fresh ATF if Im just going to pull it. If you guys think its worth a try then ill just do it.

The tranny seems to slip in all gears. When the it does shift if I let off it shifts hard and then slips again if your on the gas. It does shift thru all the gears though.

 

[CJF]

You don't mention whether you've checked the fluid level/condition.

Curtis

 

[Cruiser Jimmy]

Like CJF eluded to, check the level and color. Drop a quart out of the tranny to check the color then top off the tranny if it's low (make sure the engine is running while you're topping it off.)

Then if the problem still persists after all the above suggestions and your research, then your clutches/brakes need to be replaced in the tranny.
If you have a shop do a rebuild, make absolutely sure you have them change out all the springs in the valve body, or order an Extreme valve body from Oz.

My 0.02 cents worth of advice.

 

[toojayzee]

Like CJF eluded to, check the level and color. Drop a quart out of the tranny to check the color then top off the tranny if it's low (make sure the engine is running while you're topping it off.)

Then if the problem still persists after all the above suggestions and your research, then your clutches/brakes need to be replaced in the tranny.
If you have a shop do a rebuild, make absolutely sure you have them change out all the springs in the valve body, or order an Extreme valve body from Oz.

My 0.02 cents worth of advice.

CJF I did check the fluid, it is at the correct level.
Its also red still and looks fresh, no burnt smell. I almost wonder if the PO replaced it right before the sale cause he knew it was going out.
Is there a reason why the springs need to be replaced in the valve body ?

 

[sseaman]

how did you check the color? just by the dipstick isnt accurate, also dont assume its red enough unless you have a fresh bottle of atf to compare to it is very bright red when good. good luck i would spend $20 on atf before a couple thousand on the tranny

 

[toojayzee]

I pulled the fluid off with a white paper towel, and I also check my GS3 which I just changed the fluid in about two months ago. Ill go ahead and do a flush this weekend to apease myself.

 

[joinerman]

I have a similar problem with my 94 vx when you pull away up to around 15-20 mph & let your foot off the gas then reaply the gas the engine revs but does not drive, it then slides into gear , no bangs or anything, everything else is 100%


Joinerman

 

[toojayzee]

I never updated this. After adjusting the kickdown cable, it doesnt feel like its slipping anymore. But it does drive even slower now. I think its becuase when it should be in 1st its in 2nd and so on...

 

[Atticus]

I never updated this. After adjusting the kickdown cable, it doesnt feel like its slipping anymore. But it does drive even slower now. I think its becuase when it should be in 1st its in 2nd and so on...

Check you linkage, then. You may not be in the correct gear to begin with.

 

[toojayzee]

Check you linkage, then. You may not be in the correct gear to begin with.

I presume you mean the linkage from the tranny to the shifter ?

 

[Atticus]

I presume you mean the linkage from the tranny to the shifter ?

I did mean that, but having read your post again, I realize that makes no sense. Please disregard.

 

[CJF]

I did mean that, but having read your post again, I realize that makes no sense.

Why not?

 

[Atticus]

Why not?

Because, as I understand his problem, it feels like the transmission is starting in a higher gear than the one he intended. For instance, when he puts it in D and hits the gas, it feels like it's starting in 2 and not 1. I would think that, if the linkage were off, and he had the same problems, then the tranny would actually be in N when the indicator was on D, the tranny would be in D when the indicator read 2, etc.

Of course, before I tore into a transmission, I would make sure that the linkage, kickdown, etc. were properly adjusted before I did anything else.

To me, it sounds like more of a kickdown cable issue, though he says he has corrected that.

 

[toojayzee]

Because, as I understand his problem, it feels like the transmission is starting in a higher gear than the one he intended. For instance, when he puts it in D and hits the gas, it feels like it's starting in 2 and not 1. I would think that, if the linkage were off, and he had the same problems, then the tranny would actually be in N when the indicator was on D, the tranny would be in D when the indicator read 2, etc.

Of course, before I tore into a transmission, I would make sure that the linkage, kickdown, etc. were properly adjusted before I did anything else.

To me, it sounds like more of a kickdown cable issue, though he says he has corrected that.

Its entirely possible that the cable still needs to be fine tuned. It just doesnt feel like its slipping anymore. Though 2nd gear is slushy. You hit the gas and the revs jump but the truck is like a rubber band only slowly catching up. But not slipping.

 

[Atticus]

Its entirely possible that the cable still needs to be fine tuned. It just doesnt feel like its slipping anymore. Though 2nd gear is slushy. You hit the gas and the revs jump but the truck is like a rubber band only slowly catching up. But not slipping.

Have you tried starting in L? Does it feel like it's starting in 2 when the shifter indicator is on L? If so, then maybe it is a linkage problem.

I still think kick-down, though.

 

[toojayzee]

I still think kick-down too.