auto tranny slipping in 3rd gear

vwguy · Post by **vwguy** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 10:21 pm

Only had the car for a week, and the tranny doesnt seem to be hooking up in 3rd gear. Sometimes its not as bad, but for the most part its pretty brutal.

Wondering if anyone has had a similar experience. I know that the PO had flushed the tranny, and everything else is in great shape. Especially for 294 000km.

Im new to the toyota's, and to automatics. But i needed something for the wife, so here i am...

Hello tercel forum.

takza · Post by **takza** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 1:44 am

Could try flushing in some Mobil 1 synth ATF and also use some Lubegard additive? Sounds like you have a rough 3rd shift? Make sure the linkage is set right.

The pros like Lubegard....just use the correct type.

http://www.lubegard.com/testimonials.html#1

Post by **Petros** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 1:01 pm

I have had good luck with Lucas trans additive, my daughters honda automatic (with well over 220k on the trans) was slipping on the shifts, and making a bad grinding noise. Changed the fluid and added the Lucas trans additive, and the problem went away!

Welcome to the list BTW.

vwguy · Post by **vwguy** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:03 pm

Drained a bit of fluid tonight, and added some lucas. It isnt as bad, but it is still doing the same thing. Only put 50km on it since, so maybe it will get better with time.

Sorry for the vague post yesterday... The car only slips shifting into 3rd, and after iv been cruising. Makes getting up hills kinda difficult.

On another note, what is a good shop manual for these cars? I don't really care for the haynes.

Post by **dlb** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:49 pm

the factory service manual is on this site. the link is at the top of every page. also, i found this on ebay recently:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/1984-Toyota-Terc ... 4841113472

it's the 4WD auto trans repair manual supplement! very specific, and surely very valuable to the right person. pretty neat.

i would drain ALL of the gear oil and put fresh oil with the additive in.

splatterdog · Post by **splatterdog** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:42 pm

Additives can help an aged trans, but you need to drop the oil pan and check for debris and inspect/replace the filter. Filter and gasket kit is about $20-25 locally or 9 plus shipping at rockauto. It isn't a hard job, especially the way Toyota's are so well equiped with drain plugs. If there's debris in the pan/clogged in the filter, it could mean serious trouble. Some is normal. You could always post a pic here for opinions.

Linkage adjustments(shift and throttle), as Takza indicated, are very important too.

If adjustments,filter, fresh fluids(at correct level), additives don't do it. Trans time.

celtglen · Post by **celtglen** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 4:08 am

"...what is a good shop manual for these cars? I don't really care for the haynes."

ONLY the Toyo manual has the ins and outs for these cars, saved me 10s of thousands of dollars over the 26 years I have owned my Auto Wagon. I agree everyone that answered, I did all the additives, flushes etc. until finally at 298K it was tranny time. The good news was/is that my mechanic found a warrantied one online and popped it in my Wagon for only 1K including one year parts and labor guarantee...that was back in 08.

Check around for a used tranny with a warranty there are a few out there. Conversely if you have a shop where you can drop the transmission and have the skills--or can get someone who does--the Toyo manual for the AT is very explicit..photos with step by step instructions.

Another thing; in the manual there are trouble shooting sections even one for AT and MT that tell you what needs repair and what does not.

Ebay has an 83 Toyo manual (I bought the 84) which is essentially the identical car;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1983-TOYOTA-TER ... 1637wt_952

celtglen · Post by **celtglen** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 4:50 am

Saw this;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Automati ... 500wt_1156

takza · Post by **takza** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 5:31 am

vwguy wrote:Sorry for the vague post yesterday... The car only slips shifting into 3rd, and after iv been cruising. Makes getting up hills kinda difficult.

In my limited experience....there are various potential issues with older transmissions. One is low line pressure due to a worn pump and leakage...etc. The other would be sticking valves due to crud buildup. With my old Nissan 300ZX....Mobile 1 synth and Lubegard fixed an issue where the trans would do a harsh downshift into 2nd and 1st. Got cheap and flushed in the Valvoline (?)"high-mileage" type ATF they sell... along with some Lubegard...and the problem came back. The high-mileage ATF is a higher viscosity fluid that might improve line pressure IF the trans needs it....but didn't work for this trans.

The PO SAYS he flushed the trans...but it doesn't hold much fluid...so you should probably DIY so you know it's been done right? I do know it takes at least 2 full flushes thru the coolant line to get MOST of the old metal flakes and crud/varnish out of the trans....and you need to be sure the pan and filter are clean. You could try the Mobile synth 1st w/LG and then the high-mileage w/LG if that doesn't work? Yea...a lot of diddling around...but a lot less than reselling the car or taking it to the trans people?

xirdneh · Post by **xirdneh** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 11:37 pm

i have an automatic out of an '83 that has abt 150,000 on it for free in bremerton washington

vwguy · Post by **vwguy** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 7:02 pm

Got the car into a reputable transmission shop today. Should be hearing back from them tomorrow. I figure if it needs a rebuild, the car is worth it. Shes got lots of life in er.

Thanks for your replies.

xirdneh · Post by **xirdneh** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:06 pm

i would convert it to manual tranny before i would do a automatic re-build
but if you do not work on cars yourself
that might be a problem

vwguy · Post by **vwguy** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:59 am

I'll probably end up buying one thats standard eventually. This car however is for my new driver wife. Needs to be auto, and I prefer the 4wd seeing as Im in Canada (the legit part, that actually has winter).

I agree that autos arn't worth investing into, but im investing in a reliable 4wd that my lady can drive.

Post by **dlb** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:35 am

vwguy wrote:seeing as Im in Canada (the legit part, that actually has winter).

ouch

celtglen · Post by **celtglen** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 2:00 pm

"I agree that autos arn't worth investing into,..." UH?
Did that come from THIS board?

I just invested 1,200 US into my 84....she went FROM about 15-17 MPGs to 37-38! Fixing the blower resistor today and re-carpeting tomorrow...I may run over to Maaco to see if they can slap a $250.00 paint job on her as I have already treated her outside rust spots. VERY GLAD I BOUGHT the rust proof undercoating when I ordered her...back in 84. We have lived in Ca, CO and TX now is the wet and cold PNW--again. NO RUST on her underside!

The ONLY ONLY ONLY new car I like is the new boxy Jeeps, however seeing how as I do not have a job and I couldn't work on those new fangled engines...and as I am 6 feet tall this Tercel is my car for LIFE---or as long as Rock Auto has parts

CG

Tercel4WD.com

auto tranny slipping in 3rd gear

auto tranny slipping in 3rd gear

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