2001 Tacoma Prerunner 3.4L worth fixing?

Looking for advice with my Taco.

69k miles and the automatic transmission solenoids failed. I replaced them and now the transmission wont reverse, keeps slipping and keeps throwing engine codes.

Lowest transmission bid replacement i've gotten so far was $4100. Would it be worth fixing and then selling or just selling as is?

Thanks!

 

Replace the transmission, and make sure it comes with a torque converter.

Plenty out there.

Even if the truck had 250k miles it'd still be worth it cause for a Prerunner, you can still find one for just a few hundred bucks.

 

Fix it and keep it at that mileage!! You'll get bored of it before it dies for real.

That quote is really high. Have you looked for a used unit? Since replacing the solenoids you refilled it to the proper fluid level?

 

But really let's go backwards, what all was wrong with the truck that prompted you to replace anything on the transmission?

Did you do this yourself?

What are the codes exactly?

 

I had a check engine code after a weekend vacation. I got the code read at Autozone as a po770 code which was "malfunction of shift solenoid E on the transmission valve body." So instead of replacing one at a time I ordered all 3 replacments. I drained the trans oil, dropped the pan, swapped out all 3 solenoids, refilled trans fluid cold then idled until hot and topped it off. This took a few attempts after getting the right tools to properly scrape and replace the pan gasket without leaks. I swapped the trans oil filter while i was down there as well.

I drove the truck about 7 miles total and back home. When parking the truck it wouldn't engage reverse at all. It still wont. I drove it to a mechanic and they read codes po770 and po755and tested the ground which was good. They put the trans into manual mode and it still wont reverse indicating an internal failure. I drove it home and it started slipping gears. Its been parked since.

 

I had a reputable transmission shop rebuild the transmission in my F150 and replace the torque converter for almost half the price you quoted. I’d say keep shopping around and get a better quote to rebuild/replace it.

 

That is low mileage, what kind of shape is it in otherwise?

Definitely worth investing in it if it is in good shape overall, but as others have said try to find a better quote.

 

its in great shape otherwise. clean, good seats, all the windows/doors/electrical works. Thats why this is so frustrating! I read that some people can have trans issues at 120-150k but this issue so early seams rare. The bad kind of luck

 

Is there any chance your torque converter is shot......
.....how would you know?

When ever I do any major trans fluid changes, I throw in some of that lucas tranny 'Conditioner' as a safety factor....
not so much for the tranny.... I dont want the TC to start shuttering while its sitll in drive at the stop light.....

 

The quote you got is high. I'd look for a used transmission and have someone install it or DIY. A trans swap on a pre runner should take about a full day. I've replaced them on 2wd 4runners before with the same engine. Nothing to it.

 

If you can pull the trans and reinstall yourself, lots of trns. guys would love to rebuild for you at a lower cost.

I\ve had quotes nowadays of 1500 on a Toyo. 4 spd transaxle. (old Sienna) prob. about the same for a taco trans.

that was with normal parts but not a new converter, extra for that ( and highly advised) but they were just another 100 or so.

If that truck is still usable and you aren't buying new, keep what you got, nothing will be more reliable, you'll see if you get rid of it.

 

Like my dog, the Tacoma is so well behaved it's boring. I mean, I don't mind something unexpected to do once in a while.

 

Thanks for the advice guys, i'll see what i can do!

 

Seems like there's a lot of threads on here about guys with 4 door 1st gens swapping from auto to 5 speed.
Like others said, finding a good used trans should not be hard.