Transmission very slow to go on cold mornings

Hey all,

My 2001 PreRunner V6 has been acting weird the past few cold mornings. And by cold, I mean 50s since I'm in FL. The transmission seems to slip when the truck is started in the morning after sitting overnight. At first, you've got to rev her up to about 3k rpm just to get moving. After a 1/4 mile or so, it starts to feel more normal. This is not the normal holding of 1st and 2nd to get the engine warmed up faster. However, on a morning that's in the 60s or above, it's fine.

I've done 3 drain a fills with synthetic Dexron II as indicated by the drain plug and manual. The fluid seemed very clean to begin with. I have not changed the filter. The fluid level also looks to be right.

Any ideas on what could be causing this?

 

Mileage?

Were the fluid changes done regularly, or were your 3 changes part of a cleanup / catchup effort?

Your description is classic of sticking valve body, worn clutch packs, low fluid levels, or a combination of all 3.

Since your changes should have addressed 1 & 3................ for your sake, hope I'm wrong.

Maybe @gearcruncher can give more thoughts.

 

Mileage just turned 140k. I just got the truck last August and I'm not sure how frequently the transmission was serviced in the past. I went ahead and did the fluid change after noticing the symptoms.

 

Try charging your battery, or replacing it. I had this same problem a year or so ago and it ended up being my battery voltage was low causing the solenoids in the transmission to not get the correct voltage when first started. After driving for a few minutes it would quit happening. I'm guessing the alternator would charge the battery enough so the solenoids would get the correct amount of voltage.

 

Check your fluid level warm, make sure it reads same both sides of stick. Then in the morning, a cold one preferably before starting engine pull the dipstick and check. If the fluid level is way high by inch or so you have converter drain back which is somewhat normal to a point. If this is case what is happening is converter is not full when you put in gear giving you feeling of neutral until it fills. If fluid in morning is low when checking which I doubt like below add then your just plain low on fluid which can cause similiar problem. This is just another thing to check out also.

 

I also would not be afraid to throw in one extra quart and see if that changes anything, when first starting out in morning front pump has to fill converter, cooler, and fill clutch paks, if your a little low pump will starve until warmed up.

 

Let your truck warm up a little before rolling down the road. All the fluids need to reach proper viscosity. I NEVER just jump in, start the engine and put the transmission gear.
I compare it to someone dragging you out of bed, jumping on your back, and expecting you to take off in a full sprint properly.

 

I get this, except i'm just trying to get it out of the drive way. Either way, something's got to be off if it takes 3k rpm just to move. All good suggestions I'll have to look into. The Battery one is interesting.

 

honestly this is the same thing that happens here in sub 30* temps.

the fluid has to warm for it to flow better. drive slower to start off and don't let the truck idle for more than 30 seconds, you're just wearing out other parts. it'll warm up faster once you are moving.

how does the fluid look? pink, red, or dark cherry? worst case you can always drop the pan and replace the filter if you don't know the mechanical history. nor do you know if the previous owner beat the s*&t out of it.

edit: the sensors in the trans will prevent it from shifting until it has warmed to a certain temp, don't gun it or rev it too high

 

Everything's fine, mine started doing this at 25 and below. Fluids are perfect. Just cold mate...

 

Are you checking the fluid level with the engine running after putting shifter through all gears and back to P?

 

I would be interested to know if the engine is running when checking the fluid as well ?
If you are checking the fluid with the engine turned off the fluid level will show far over the full mark because none of the hydraulic circuits are charged

Here are some diagnostic links for the OP to research http://etereman.com/blog/transmission-care/common-problems-found-in-the-toyota-a340e-transmission

http://www.sonnax.com/parts/2764-zip-kit

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...sions-write-up-your-4-speed-automatic.325531/