Won’t fully engage into gear?

Just got in to go home after work. Started up fine. Put it into reverse and it kinda struggled to move like as if the e-brake is on but it’s not. I rev the rpms a little bit it barely responds. Same goes for when driving forward. I put it in neutral hoping it’s my rear brakes but it rolls just fine as it should. Basically it’s not moving anywhere near how it should relative to the rpms I’m giving it. If I keep trying it eventually I can feel something sort of bump as if it’s fully in gear now and it’ll roll better like it should.

I have no new CEL. Engine runs and starts normal. I fear this is transmission/driveshaft related.
300,529 miles. V6. 4wd. 01.
Did head gasket job in December.

I’m having my girlfriend pick me up now cus I’m scared to make it worse. Luckily my work shares the building with a small Toyota/Lexus shop which I’ll have them hopefully look at it tomorrow.

 

Open to your wisdom and opinions.
Thanks gents.

 

Have you checked the transmission fluid level? Sounds like it could be low.

 

Just topped that off about 3 months ago.

 

That would still be the first thing to check, you could have a leak somewhere.

 

Any issues with heat/temp lately? Sounds like you've got some transmission diagnosing to do.

Could be the TC (?), I'd imagine you'd have some kind of warning though. Check the fluid again, check the throttle cable (aka kickdown cable), check the park neutral safety switch (although you're able to shift into gears so doubt that is it).

If you end up having to dive into it, @gearcruncher has some very good info in his thread here -
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...sions-write-up-your-4-speed-automatic.325531/

 

Temps have been solid. I’ll look in to all that. Thanks.

 

If tranny fluids have been serviced, next thing on the checklist is solenoids

 

Just got off the phone with the shop and he’s suspecting solenoids but at my current mileage for 300k he’s suggesting tranny replacement.

Is that necessary? Would I be wasting time replacing solenoids? This is my dd and I have the next two days off, I could replace them. Is it a hard job to do? Doesn’t seem like it, just drop the pan right and they’re right there?

 

I think it's safe to say you're looking at a little bit of downtime. Since its your DD, might want to figure out a short term rental or other DD replacement.

This link (pulled from @gearcruncher's thread) will answer your q's about replacing the solenoids and how involved it's going to be. THe valve body gets pulled so be sure to map it. Some of the bolts may or may not vary in length. Take your time and be mindful of those springs.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/attachments/a340-series-repair-manual-with-transfer-case-pdf.4342681/

At 300k, you might want to ask for opinions on doing a full rebuild (sonnax kit, etc) yourself since you're thinking about tearing into it anyway.

Another option would be to outright purchased a reman from Toyota. There will be a core charge of course so your local toyota parts guys will be the source. Better than rolling the dice with a local salvage yard deal in my opinion. If I had to do it all over again, I would have just ate the cost and went with a Toyota reman when I did the 4WD swap.

Finally, there is always having a shop do the work for you.

Whichever route you go, fingers crossed for ya. G/L


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PS: Can't suggest it enough, go over @gearcruncher's thread on the 340. He has either attached or links to just about every repair aspect of the 340 in his thread. Take a look at it before jumping blind into it.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...sions-write-up-your-4-speed-automatic.325531/

@Jeff Lange might have an idea as well.

 

On my brother's Ranger, they rebuilt the entire thing and reused the solenoids. He still had the slipping gear symptoms you have. Told him to buy new solenoids and the problem disappeared. Shops be dumb.
Yes, easy job.

 

Wow that thread has an abundance of info but I haven’t found much specifically on the solenoids unless it was brought up in the comments by other members.
I’m surprised at how little info there is even on YouTube for these. I have found enough though to understand how to remove them (I think). Some info I’m still looking for is:
1. How many solenoids are there? I believe 4?
2. Are they all the same like fuel injectors and spark plugs? Or is each one specific? I’m starting to see them numbered now on rockauto and the oriellys guy was asking too.
3. I’ve gotten two quotes on these from Napa and oriellys so far and even their numbers are expensive for me right now. What brand is preferred for these if can’t do oem? Shop mech said Denso should be ok for now. Anyone used Denso solenoids?

 

BINGOOOO. Thank you sir, I was having trouble downloading it for some reason.

 

So as of right now this is what I have in mind.
Drop pan. Test each solenoid, resistance test right? Find which one is faulty. Replace that one and pray it should be that easy. I’d replace all 4 but these things seem to be going for around 200-400 each. And that’s not even oem.

 

It's your DD but if you can swing another ride for a few, partsouq might save you some $$. Plug in the part# and check they might have them.
https://partsouq.com/

 

This truck is an auto right? Have you ever replaced the shifter bushing?

I believe @BartMaster1234 had this issue years ago and a new shifter bushing in the column took care of the issue... if my memory remembered correctly lol

 

FYI - updated doc attached. Supersedes TC009T04.

For whatever naming reason, in toyota's infinite wisdom they decided to remove the "line pressure control solenoid" from the ID doc.

 

Only shifter bushings I’ve replaced are the ones for the gear selector inside the cab. Are you referring to those ones?
Automatic yes.

 

I’m also wondering why it’s not throwing a code?