First post and it’s a doozy!

It was cold, I did this first thing in the morning.

 

The truck was backed in and the pan was under the truck. She got in started it up and pulled it out so she had no idea.

 

I haven’t scanned yet.

 

Yea, she was outside harvesting some veggies and it started to rain and she ran to the garage to move the truck out and the Jeep in. She did say, if the tranny is screwed it’s on you for not telling me fool haha. I’ll take the blame!

 

I live at 5,000 feet on a steep gravel road and tow a good bit with it. I’ve always dumped and filled my trucks at 25-30k.

 

I could be wrong but I didnt think it kicked an CEL code for tranny problems...

sounds like my wife. LOL

 

I didn’t drop the pan, just drained it so the drain plug was out. My concern is that it’s shifting erratic and I can’t get it to shift into OD, it’s at 3-4K rpms at 60-65.

 

whats the trans oil level?

 

Thanks so much for all the replies. I’m going to cycle (DAF) through 3-4 times and hope for the best. My next step if that doesn’t work I reckon is to take it to the dealer. Unless anyone can think of something...

 

Unplug the battery for a bit, maybe

 

Since it was driven with no fluid in the pan, then that means it could have sucked air into the system.
But I don’t know enough about the transmission to say that could be your problem.

 

It almost sounds like the truck is in limp mode.

remove negative battery cable and reattach and see if it shifts better.

 

Our A750 transmission is electronically controlled with a control module. As a result, sensors and the error codes that support them, might come in to play if any of your solenoids (or other components) are damaged.

 

I would take it to a transmission shop instead of a dealer. When the tranny went out on my celica, dealer quoted me $3200 for a new one, wouldn't even discuss a rebuild. Took it to a local reputable transmission shop, he rebuilt it for $2000 and gave me a 18 month warranty.

 

Do any of you run anything besides the Toyota WS fluid? Since I’m going to cycle through and dump as much as possible I’d like to go with something better if there is.

 

I've been running Valvoline Max life for years.

 

truck has to be running when you check the fluid level .
after fluid is topped off , scan for codes , record the codes on paper , then clear the codes and re-road test

 

I second the suggestion of Lubegard Platinum. I forget how much to use. You were only 4qt low in about a 12qt system. Not good but could have been worse.

If it was me:
Drain pan again. Look at fluid close, feel it, smell it. If it's basically the same as before, wouldn't worry.
Refill plus Lubegard. Only the Platinum, not the other versions.
Big thing is to make sure you have correct fluid level. Check it with trans at correct temperature range. I used a Scangage to read pan fluid temp. There are other ways to get temp though.
Drive it easy for a bit. The new fluids should clean the little scale/varnish away if any was even generated in the first place.


Maxlife synthetic and Lubegard is what I have used with no troubles.

Some people don't think about added wear on fluids but towing, offroading, etc all is more strain than "normal" use.

Bigger tires, armor, etc adds up to where it's almost like you are always towing for some people. I use to follow the "severe" schedule items for maintenance per the manual due to my armor and bigger heavier tires.

 

I don't Toyota rebuilds anything. When the carrier bearing went on my driveshaft, I looked into having the dealer replace it (due to time restraints). What they do is just replace the entire shaft rather than disassemble the current one.

 

Disconnect the battery for a minute, re-connect and try again.