Tacoma won’t move in any gear.

Here’s the run down.

I bought and installed, a brand new 2.7l engine in my Tacoma. (4x4 automatic )

I started it up and everything sounds and runs great.

I put my truck in reverse and nothing, I shift through all the gears and nothing at all..? Not even the slightest movement.

I checked the trans fluid looked for unplugged wiring couldn’t find anything.

The transmission has 300,400 miles on it. so instead of messing with it, I decided I would just go ahead and buy a low miles transmission, Hoping the new trans would fix all my problems.

Well I just finished installing it and STILL NOTHING!!? No movement In any gear. Makes no sense..

 

@BartMaster1234

 

The linkage is all hooked up correctly?

Can you hear a difference in the engine idle when you shift? I noticed when I shift between gears, the idle sound on the engine changes.

I have no idea what it could be. @mechanicjon or @gearcruncher maybe?

 

I assume it’s a manual transmission?

 

Yes, linkage is hooked up correctly.

It’s an automatic transmission. It was lsupposedly 75% dry when I bought it. I only put I put 4.5 quarts of ATF in it. But that’s all it would take

I shifted through the gears for 10 minutes with the engine hot. And it wouldn’t take anymore ATF.

Is it possible I don’t have enough ATF?
I figured I would at least get some kind of movement.

Is there any fuses? For the transmission.

I find it confusing how both old and newer transmission don’t respond at all.
I know for a fact the original transmission worked before I installed the new engine.

 

The entire transmission probably have somewhere between 12 to 18 quart (i don't have the exact number off hand), most are stored in the torque converter and ~4 quarts or so in the reservoir.

Might be a stupid question to ask you, but did you bolt the flex plate to the torque converter? I know you bolt it up the crankshaft because you're able to start the truck. The only way power is transfer to transmission is by the flex plate, one end attach to the crank and other end to the torque converter. By chance you got 6 identical bolt on hand after you're done? Flex to torque contain 6 bolt.

Something didn't get attached in my opinion if transmission worked fine before you replace the engine. If you didn't drain any atf or alter the original transmission when the engine is out, everything will work the same.

 

flex plate bolted to the torque converter?

 

If it holds that many quarts then my front front pump is probably broke.
I’m gonna pull the trans and check.

I’ll keep you guys updated

 

Do you get the same result if you shift into 4 low?

 

You only put in 4.5 quarts!?

My empty 4x4 Auto A340F transmission took 17 quarts.

 

That’s all it would take. It would suck in anymore than 4.5qt

 

And it was completely empty beforehand?

That doesn’t make any sense. It’s suppposed to take way more than that. Like I said my emptied-at-the-scrapper transmission took 17 quarts.

 

What about the 6 bolt for the flex plate to torque converter?

Is your 4wd shifter in neutral position?

 

Oh that’s a good one. Neutral on the shifter.

I think the issue could be lack of fluid too. 4.5 quarts is way too little.

 

Torque converter bolts are a good one. That could be it.

 

There is a real possibility you broke the pump gears if you bolted the trans up and the converter was not lined up to the pump.

 

subd

 

pop the tranny lines off the radiator and fire her up and see if she pumps fluid. If she doesn't pump fluid the front pump isn't turning or there is not enough fluid in the pan or the torque convertor isn't bolted up.

please do not take the following as an offense... block all four wheel front and back... the last thing I want to read about is how you got run over by your truck when the pump finally got enough fluid and you had her in "D" revving it and you were in front of her. IT HAS HAPPENED.

 

Broken pumps happen all the time . I think its even happened to a couple guys within this thread . Not fun

Another quick pump check
Before you start the engine , note the level of the transmission fluid on the dipstick . It should be way overfilled
Now start the truck in park and check the fluid level again .If the level remains the same , your pump is NOT pumping .
If the fluid level drops down to inside the full limit line , your pump is working

Not sure if you are checking your fluid level with the truck running , but " Yes " truck needs to be running and the pump has to be pumping to check for proper transmission fluid level

Have you tried 4 wheel drive yet ?
What are the chances you have a broken rear differential ?

Next, i would be looking into the transfer case splines and how the transfer case mates to the transmission

 

Did you pull the torque converter ??? , if you did then when you reinstalled it you didn't fully seat the converter back onto the input /pump shaft

Doing this will not allow the pump to work and effectively burn the transmission up !!