Transmission problems with 2001? (1 Viewer)

[tedzap]

I have a 2001 that I inherited from my folks, it has low miles (115k) but some issues.

Sometimes when I would start the car and put it in drive it would seem to be in the highest gear,, and although the engine would rev up it would barely move forward. I have a steep driveway and had to back up the drive when it it acting like this. It seems that it has mostly happened in the colder months, sometimes it does it and others not. Torque converter?

I took it to a trusted independent shop and they couldn't reproduce the problem. They recommended a small tranny shop, who also couldn't reproduce it... but they dropped the pan and reported a bunch of metal in the pan. I saw a low res picture, didn't look like a lot.

He can't find a rebuilt one from his suppliers and reports a rebuild/install will be $4200. He is happy to install a used trans if we can find one.


1. is there any other system in the truck that can cause this sort of issue?
2. does anyone have a good used transmission for sale? I am in southwest Virginia (Roanoke).

 

[TahoeZ]

Have you verified correct fluid type and level in the transmission?

 

[Malleus]

I have a 2001 that I inherited from my folks, it has low miles (115k) but some issues.

Sometimes when I would start the car and put it in drive it would seem to be in the highest gear,, and although the engine would rev up it would barely move forward. I have a steep driveway and had to back up the drive when it it acting like this. It seems that it has mostly happened in the colder months, sometimes it does it and others not. Torque converter?

I took it to a trusted independent shop and they couldn't reproduce the problem. They recommended a small tranny shop, who also couldn't reproduce it... but they dropped the pan and reported a bunch of metal in the pan. I saw a low res picture, didn't look like a lot.

He can't find a rebuilt one from his suppliers and reports a rebuild/install will be $4200. He is happy to install a used trans if we can find one.


1. is there any other system in the truck that can cause this sort of issue?
2. does anyone have a good used transmission for sale? I am in southwest Virginia (Roanoke).

Your problem likely isn't the torque converter. While it would be a PITA to do, just to validate the torque converter, there is a check in the service manual.

Your 1st/reverse gear clutches are most likely on their last legs. They are usually the first to go, with normal wear, because they get the most use. Unfortunately, you have to tear the entire transmission apart to get at them.

The overhaul kits, which have the gasket set and clutches in them have been delisted. You have to buy the clutches separately now, just like the steels. The gasket kit is still available, for now.

There are no rebuilt A343Fs in anyone's stock, that I know of. I have had one dealership tell me they (Lexus) are hundreds of units behind, on potential orders, across the US. The domestic Toyota approved rebuilders are apparently not interested.

If you can find someone to reliably rebuild and install, using Toyota parts (I would hope the removal in that that quote too), do it. If they aren't going to use Toyota parts, don't bother rebuilding it. You'll never get the life out of it that it already has provided.

 

[tedzap]

Have you verified correct fluid type and level in the transmission?

Yes, we have verified the fluid level.

 

[TahoeZ]

Yes, we have verified the fluid level.

Personally I would start by doing a full exchange with a known fluid type and check level. But, as Malleus said, it's probably time for a rebuild.

 

[baltistyle]

I would take the gamble on the new fluid as well and see how it acts after that. Make sure that fluid level is checked the proper temperatures.

 

[Malleus]

FWIW, before I rebuilt my son's 2000 LX470 A343F (290k miles on it), it had started slipping in 1st, when leaping off the line and climbing a hill from a standing start. We replaced the fluid (the entire system flush), and got another year out of it progressively slipping all the while, until it finally lost every gear. Fortunately, it was at the end of the driveway when it happened, but he was in reverse at the time.

There were no clutches worth keeping (I wouldn't have kept them regardless of the condition, but I say, just for a data point) and half of the steels were completely burnt. The other half were only mostly burnt.

Surprisingly, all the bearings were like new. Those suckers are tough.

It shifts better than new now (based on what I remember of my 2004 when it was new - I know, different transmission, but still).