• Purchased brand new
• 195,000 miles
• AWD 2003 model
• trans service done every 30k miles since new with fluid from Toyota

started up in airport garage last night after 3 day trip. engaged shifter to Reverse.

backed out one foot and the vehicle suddenly stopped, as if hitting something in the garage or something under car or parking brake was one

I put it in drive to go forward in parking space - no problem

engage the shifter from Park to Reverse and noticed no engagement of that gear. Felt like vehicle was in neutral. I revved it - engine revs car doesnt move back. Moves forward in D but nothing in R

then it went in R was able to move it back after 5 min of shifting back and forth

got on highway - 40 min drive home at 75mph - no issues

this morning drove 20 miles no issues at all
no check engine lights


i am thinking a trans issue is developing.

question: its due for another trans fluid change next month

is my transmission dying? Does it happen like this and slowly gets worse ?

i wanted to keep the vehicle till 300,000 - but if it needs 3-4k of trans work - I am not sure

thanks for the help

 

Check the transmission fluid level.

 

The symptoms you stated are typical of transmission failure. But you need to diagnose the problem instead if jumping to a conclusion.

Fluid level check is a simple thing you can do. Also look for floaties [silver/gray metal].
Next would be to drop the pan. A qualified transmission tech can then give you the news. So take the RX to place where you would be inclined to do the repairs.

Salim

 

Thank you guys

let me check the fluid level first thing in the AM

 

Fluid level

• cold - no fluid registers on the stick
• hot - (after 30 min driving) - perfect level on “hot” mark

@salimshah @LeX2K

 

Checked with engine running? You should see fluid on the dipstick when the transmission is cold. Has the transmission pan ever been dropped to change the filter? Don't let anyone tell you different the filter can and does clog if never changed it is not a fine metal mesh, but actual filter material.

 

Cold start up in AM driveway - slight fluid on back of stick, None on the “”cold/hot side”

after driving for a while and rechecking - fluid level up to “hot” and same level both side of stick

trans pan has not been dropped- filter hasnt been changed

 

Some thing is not right or the process is not right.
Cold check is to ensure there is some fluid in there [should be done with engine OFF] but the right test is ambient temp [after driving ... not just stand still idle]. Once the transmission reaches ambient temp [15-20 min of driving with stop and go traffic].

Stop/park at a flat level.
Engine running [idle].
Rove the gear shifter to each setting and wait about 10 sec each and bring back to Park.
Keep the engine running [idle]
Check transmission fluid level .... good luck with that as I always had trouble reading the dip stick.

Salim
The transmission fluid expands when heated. The heat is generated when the clutch action is happening ... the fluid is churned the most. Standing still or constantly driving at high speed [above the stall speed of the torque convertor, the fluid is just lubricating and not being churned]

 

Well I flushed out all the fluids. Did a trans filter change. Dropped the pan.

3100 miles later - running like its old self again. No problems.

 

Guessing here, but if your dipstick readouts from earlier are right then that wasn’t OEM transmission fluid in there before. The low to high mark readings on warmup have always been spot on for me. Yours went from almost dry stick to spot on sounds like.

After 3100 miles may do to at least replace fluids again.

 

Thank you for the help

will do another fluid replacement as you suggested

 

Well 3 months later vehicle has been drive 8,500 additional miles

RX sat at airprot for 2.5 weeks (was in africa). Come back exact same symptom previously.

Put trans into R - it wont move.

This time when I put into D - there was a crunch/grind noise (almost sounded like splash guard was dragging on ground). Get out and check - nothing dragging

Noise stops. Drives home normal. Shifts into all gears

Going to take to mechanic tomorrow .

Interestingly both episodes happened after sitting at airport for a while

 

drained the fluid its totally dark inside

going to do a double flush and keep driving

used transmissions not sure how much. rebuild guy wants $4500

AWD

 

Dark color is not necessarily bad. If smells burnt and you see metallic particles then it is bad. No harm in changing it but keep in mind a good bit of the fluid is in the torque converter and you can gradually get it to the color of your liking. Just don't stir up the sediments. Do drain and fills.

Salim

 

Consider installing a Magnefine filter after you've flushed enough fluid to make it clear.