4TH GEAR WON'T ENGAGE AT ALL

Hello, I have a tacoma 2003, manual transmission, 4x4, 170,000, 3.5 L that won't go into 4th gear while driving. No problem with the other gears. Prior to this, I had a couple of days where my truck bearly started the engine when I pressed the clutch. And prior to that, one day when I try to shift in 4th gear, it made a clubcking sound.
Mind you, 3 years ago I was having similar problems and I got a new trans and changed the clutch. This cannot possibly be signs that I need another trans.!!! What other problem can cause not able to engage in 4th gear? Please help! I am stuck in a remote place in the Nevada desert. Can I still drive my truck in this condition? If I am driving, I can also skip 4th gear and drive it in 5th.
I wear a type of tires that make noise while driving. You know the noise!!! But I think something else is making a louder noise like that in my engine now. What could that be?
Thank you

 

By new Transmission you mean brand new or a Fresh Rebuild?

A used Transmission new to your Truck?

just what happens when you pull the shifter into where 4th gear should be?

It goes into gear but the rpm increases but the road speed does not?

It makes all kinds of grinding noise but will not go into gear at any time?

The shifter Pops into neutral as soon as you remove your hand?

At any time since owning the truck have the shifter bushing and seat been replaced.

Depending on your answers . I would be looking for metal in the gear oil.

A transmission can fail at anytime it very well could be on the way out again.

Noise can be tricky . Transmission about to fail getting louder?? Where you feeling more heat then normal on the transmission tunnel?

Engine noise who knows . Oil pressure ? A steady roaring noise louder then normal tire noise from the temperature? Increased tire wear causing louder noise .

Hard to do troubling shooting for noise online.

Best of Luck.

 

First welcome to Tacoma World.

Define "won't go in" a little better. Gears grind, just won't move into position, pops back out?

Have you checked your clutch fluid level? In mine, also an '03, the level had dropped (yeah stupid oversight) and began having a hard time shifting. Bled the system and topped it off and it's been fine since. No visible leaks, mystery so far.

Both of these comments indicate it could be clutch related. If the clutch is not fully releasing on startup, it leaves a drag on the engine, which could make it hard or impossible to start (worse, the truck could lurch.) In this hard start condition, have you tried putting it in neutral and used the clutch bypass switch? It could give you one more clue.

Why it won't go into fourth but fine in other gears I don't know. This is a synchro mesh transmission, technically you could shift gears with no clutching at all if you get the RPM right at the shift point. Next time you're driving, give it a shot: get into third, when it starts to rev up push in the clutch, apply just a little pressure into fourth as the RPM's start to drop, see if it goes in. Don't force it, use the engine RPM to "feel" for the shift.

I agree with @Bivouac's comments especially about the shifter bushing, when I was having trouble with mine I replaced it even though it was in good shape, but this is a common wear point on the MT's.

These transmissions are tanks, that would be my last guess . . . unless the one you swapped out had problems.

Not the greatest idea but I suppose you could. 5th gear is the "highway gear" and driving in 5th at lower speeds bogs down the engine.

 

I tend to think people check the easy things before asking for help.

Why over the years I only asked a few questions.

 

Hello! And thank you for your prompt response. Okay, Reading back at the papers from the guy that supposedly did my trans, looks like he only changed parts on my old trans.
I just checked the gear bushing and it looks good, so is not that.
I did check the clutch fluid,pumped it. Put more fluid and pump it, didn't fix the problem either.
When I drive, I shift gears normally till I get to 4th gear but it won't go in, it won't engage and now it does make a little bit of grinding noise but it won't go in 4th gear, so I go to 5th and drives fine.
I never check if while driving, I release the shifter and it turns back into neutral cuz i had my hand on the shifter all the time. After I drove it for a little bit, I turn off the engine and try to shift (engine off), I still have the same problem. 4th gear does not go in, and it makes very slightly grinding noise.
I have to check the trans fluid to see if is not dry. I know now that whatever is blocking the 4th gear from engaging is way inside the trans and somebody will have to open up and checked it.
I just came back from checking trans fluid level and is fine.
I am calling around to shops but nobody wants to work on trans. They just want to order you a new one and put it in.

 

How far away is home?.

You might make it home you might not.

just a pure guess a bearing on the 4th gear shaft is worn enough that it will no longer go into gear..

Is enough damage being done the other bearings will fail no way to know till it comes apart.

Best of Luck!

 

Thanks, it sounds more and more, I am going to need a new transmission.

 

You really never know till you look at things inside.

I was lucky I had a Good Transmission Person I could not touch the parts for what he sold them for.

Pulling and installing is much of the labor if you can do that yourself it is reasonable.

 

I see no reason why you can't skip 4th for the time being if all other gears are working fine. I do it all the time in my celica.

 

i don't see why you would need a new transmission. you are probably using the wrong fluid or your clutch is out of adjustment or needs to be bled. use gl-4 or redline/synchromesh fluids. gl-5 tends to cause issues with synchros because it's so slippery.

 

I read somewhere that continuing to drive your vehicle when something wrong with the trans. Could make more damage inside, therefore need more work or parts, costing you more money.

 

Last time a mechanic changed the trans oil was 3 years ago. I have never done it. I did tested the clutch a day ago, pumped it, added more fluid and pumped it again, and also adjusted it, didn't solve the problem. And checked the gear bushing and that wasn't it either. At this point, I feel is something deeper. The last mechanic that worked on it, told me I got a rebuild trans, but later found out that he only changed a few parts inside. The truck has almost 200,000 miles, and is a 2003. I expect my vehicles to have trans. Problems at least once in their life.
That mechanic, 3 years ago, screwed me, cuz he charged me as if he had rebuild my trans.

 

I want to thank to every single one of your gentlemen that took the time to answer my post, and were nice enough to share your expertise and advice so promptly. I really appreciate it. It helped me a lot.

 

If you are still wondering about skipping fourth gear, I almost always do so. 1, 2, 3, 5.

 

I have not felt any strain at all on the engine and even the trans driving it skeeping the 4th gear. I just want to make sure, since the trans is not working properly, that I won't make more damage by driving it like you suggest. Haven't you found why your truck won't go into 4th gear? How long have you been driving it skeeping 4th gear?

 

the thing is when skipping 4th gear when things are working fine no big deal nothing will be hurt.

In your case at this time we have no idea just why it will not engage 4th gear you seem to have ruled out the clutch and shifter bushing and seat. That tends to effect every gear not just one.

Is it something simple and minor that will not cause any more damage no way to know.

We still have not figured out if indeed your hearing a grumbling noise not unlike what some aggressive tread makes.

That might mean a failing bearing getting metallic dirt through the gear box.

One bearing means a new bearing kit the expensive part can be other ares of damage .

If it is indeed a bearing it will get to the point the transmission locks up or no longer transmits power to the transfer case. Either event sucks in the desert even more so.

I wish I had better news .

 

Sorry, I misled you. My transmission has no issues. It shifts easily into all gears. I just skip 4th most of the time for no real reason. Just meant to reassure you that skipping 4th gear won't hurt anything.

 

Aweee I see, I understand now. I knew that too. But to do it when the trans is not working normal is another story. But I sure appreciate your comment.

 

Thank you very much! Any problem with trans sucks for sure! I have arranged to have it rebuild. I dont want to take any chances. I appreciate your information.

 

Did the rebuilder tell you what was wrong with it?