Weird Transmission and temp gauge issues

My 2001 Tacoma 4x4 with the 3.6L automatic has been really messed up lately (160,xxx). This morning I drove it out to go for a run and it drove fine on the way out. Revs little higher till engine warms up, which is typical. But, on my way back (20min later) the temperature gauge goes up just under the redline and my truck suddenly wont shift correctly either. Almost feels like transmission slip but it just wont shift correctly at all. I definitely think the temperature gauge issue is tied to the shifting issue as they happen simultaneously. My scangauge records a normal engine temperature though (195-198) while this all happens. I was just curious if anyone would know something about this?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/drivability-problems.538955/
Thank goodness this stud dude came back and posted what fixed his problem. Sounds similar to yours. Check out the link. I had to search as I've never heard of this or ran into it. But makes sense as a possible culprit

 

Check your ground wire on the left front inner fender by the battery. The one that go's into the harness.

 

ground looks fine

 

also the one on the right front of the engine. These 2.

 

Those grounds are solid as well.

 

Got me beyond that. Maybe there's something to the link @cruiserguy posted

 

My issue has progressed. My truck will now shudder and die while in drive. Let mechanic look at it and it didn't act up for them so now its stranded in my driveway. The other day I turned it on to let it warm up, put it into reverse which it engaged, then I put it into drive and truck started to shake then die, with my A/T Temp light coming on. The next day I went to try and run it again, when I put truck in reverse it didn't engage as my truck didnt move when I released the brake, it did the same non-engaging thing in drive before as well. Any more Ideas, I am so lost right now.

 

Have you checked your transmission fluid? I'm sure you have, but you didn't mention it.

There is a documented issue (more on 3rd gen 4runners than Tacomas) where the radiator will crack and the transmission fluid mixes with the coolant. They call this the "Strawberry Milkshake" because that's what it looks like. It's easy to check for, just look at your coolant.

 

Sounds like the lock up part of the converter is trying to engage killing the motor. Do you have the Factory service manual?

 

Maybe @gearcruncher might have an idea.

 

What is this?

Factory temperature gauge is for our engine; did yours come equipped differently?

When's the last time you serviced your transmission? This would include replacing the filter and not just the fluid.

 

I believe it's 2001 and older that has a a/t temp light. My 04 doesn't have one. It turns on at an ungodly 280 degrees though.

 

Trans fluid looks good pink/brown, haven't checks for any strawberries milkshakes but I wouldn't think that's the problem. I had oil and filter replaced 20k ago and my mechanic never said anything about chucks or sketchy stuff in pan. I still think it's a tcc solenoid but the repair shop I took too said it ain't that... I'm 1.5 hour drive from my normal mechanic (at school).

 

And even though the light comes on I don't think it's overheating as it comes on even without moving the truck.

 

Unrelated to your issue at hand, but 20k miles on the same filter and oil is a bit much

If I were you, I'd drain the transmission fluid and drop the pan to see if you've got anything funky in there. You've got 3 magnets in there that'll grab any metal particles/pieces.

 

Iya going back to mechanic Friday. I'll have him do typical tranny oil and filter stuff. Might have him put new solenoids in for the heck of it too.

 

I thought the automatic transmission fluid change interval was more like 50-75k miles. This obviously has to be adjusted based on use though.

 

Lack of reading comprehension; I assumed he meant engine oil since he just said oil and filter.

Would make sense now if transmission fluid and transmission filter was serviced 20k miles ago.

 

Yea you'd most likely have cooling issues with the engine at that point.

You could just have something wrong with the sensor. It's located on the passenger side right where the 2 transmission fluid lines enter/exit.
Are you getting any CEL Codes? DTC P0710 is for ATF temp sensor malfunction.

Something else to check, sometimes the shift linkage can get knocked loose. So when you shift into reverse, you could be in neutral. Obviously you could check to see if it was of by shifting further.
Does your truck have a "kickdown" cable? I know they went away sometime in 01-04. You can check this by looking at your throttle body, if you have 2 cables then you have it. This cable helps to set shift points based on throttle position. If it's not set correctly you will get strange shifting.