2001 transmission issue

I am the original owner of a 2001 AC 4wd Tundra with 213,000 miles. I recently performed two (4 quarts each) drain and fills of the transmission using Toyota Type IV ATF. These were done about 1,000 miles apart and the second one was done 4 days ago. Prior to this, the fluid had never been changed. On my 30 minute highway commute home today, the truck died and I had both a check engine and a AT temp warning light on my dashboard. I let the truck sit for about 30 minutes and was able to start it and drive home. It drove and shifted fine for the remaining 10 minute drive.

ATF level is in the proper range and I only replaced what I removed both times.

No leaks anywhere that I can find.

Why would the engine die if the ATF got too hot? I have never seen the AT temp warning light before in my 19 years of ownership. Changing the fluid must have done something.

Where do I go from here? Take it to a transmission shop and have them assess the overall condition/health of the transmission? I really don't want to continue commuting in it until I can get a better idea of what's going on.

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

What color was the fluid on the second change? Did you replace the filter?

 

Wrong fluid for your 2001. You should be using Valvoline DEX/Merc $14 a gallon from wally wurrlld.

The spec on the Valvoline DEX/Merc is more suited for the 00-02 years. Start over with drain and refills with this and report back.

 

Good catch, I didn't even see that.

 

After the first change it was red. The original fluid prior to the ATF change was dirty but not black. I checked the forums and even checked with the service department at my Toyota service department before buying the type IV ATF. Looks like the cheapest way to proceed is to make a trip to Wal Mart!

Thanks

 

What mileage interval would you recommend between the drain and fills? If I have the wrong fluid, I want to do these drain and fills in the shortest possible intervals. Are you fairly certain the type IV ATF caused my problem?

 

I am certain about nothing with your truck, as I am not there with it. You mentioned you changed it twice. First time no problems. Second time right after you start experiencing problems. You’ve maybe diluted the fluid enough with the second drain/fill.

Cheapest thing is switch to the DEX/Merc. Run it and do another drain/fill. If you still have problems, then take it to a specialist. Or, take it now. Have it towed. Your call!

I will say that my truck has never shifted smoother than it does now since I took over maintenance on her. Prior, I had fluids changed at Stealership and other high dolla shops on a regular basis. Who knows what they used? I finally got the fluid level right.

For the past year, I’ve done about 3-4 drain and fills with the Valvoline DEX/Merc because its so cheap.

I drain and fill every engine oil change (3k miles). I skipped last change just because its good to go. Will be draining and filling next change.

 

Thank you for your help.

I plan to follow your advice.

I love my old truck and hate to give her up!

 

I hope it works! Sounds like it will. Keep us posted.

 

When you say "the truck died", you mean the engine stopped running?

 

Keep us posted. This is an odd one.

I almost feel like wrong fluid would be a problem long term, not immediately. Causing it to overheat? That's wild.

It would be interesting to monitor your trans temp for a few days to see what it reads but that requires a bit of work.

 

Yes. I turned off of the highway and it stranded me on the side of the rode. It wouldn't start again for about 30 minutes. First time in 19 years it has ever left me stranded.

 

Did the truck overheat too? How was the temp gauge?

 

No. The engine temp was fine.

I am going to do as suggested and do a couple of drain and fills with Valvoline Dex/Merc.

Fingers crossed!

 

Did it crank over and not start or just not crank over at all?

 

I believe the at temp light comes on anytime the key is on, engine is off.
It does in my Tacoma at least. Good chance the transmission may not be the issue. Rule this out by seeing if the light is on with key on, engine off first.

type t-iv should be fine in the a340.

WS is what would kill it

 

It would crank over and not start. It finally did after about 30 minutes.

 

I was told at the Toyota service department that type IV was backward compatible with my original Dex III ATF. Maybe it's not. Professional hand model's explanation makes sense and it's a cheap possible solution.

 

I don't ever recall noticing the AT light on whenever the the key is on and the engine is off. Maybe someone else can confirm if this is normal. I don't think I have ever noticed the AT light until tonight. Didn't even know it was there.

 

Just something to check. Dex iii and type t-iv are pretty much the same.

An overheating trans shouldn’t shut the truck off. But anything is possible

 

I think your engine dieing is a separate issue. In rereading your initial post you went a 1000 miles trouble free on your first fluid change and it sounds like you didn't notice the transmission light until the engine died. Which is normal with key on engine off.

For the engine to run you need compression, spark and fuel in simple terms. Since you said it's running fine after it started we could presume you have compression so you must have lost fuel or spark. I don't think your tranny overheated and if it did how it would affect the engine running.

 

Thank you for your insight. It is just the timing of things that makes me suspicious that the ATF change had something to do with it. Today was the first day I have put more than just a couple of miles on it since the most recent fluid change. I don't remember seeing the AT light on in my truck ever. Can you confirm it normally comes on with the key on and engine off? If so, I have not noticed this in the last 19 years.

 

AT light doesn't just mean a temp problem, it will come one when you throw a transmission code. It uses a computer just like your engine and has its own codes, and it can and will crash the engine with some codes. Its unlikely you where overheating, you probably threw a code, and some codes don't even have anything to do with the transmission.

It can be a sensor like a MAP triggering it. (your engine makes less power at higher altitudes, thus changing shifting points) There are SEVERAL integrated systems like this that can cause tranny issues that are actually outside the transmission.

The way to know if its a code or actual temp is to turn the key off, and then restart the truck. If its a code the light will go out, if its actually hot, it will stay on.

Your bulb must be burnt out. It comes on every time you start the truck and stays on for a few seconds until the TCU gets a good temp reading.

 

As @Aerindel mentioned, you're bulb is possibly burned out. Might be different on 2001's but on my 2004, the second I turn the key to IGN ON(engine not running), all the below lights are lit.....after 3 beeps?, the ABS goes out and after 5 beeps?, the AIR BAG goes out. The SEAT BELT simply continues flashing and BATT, A/T OIL TEMP, CHECK ENG stay on steady until I start the truck ! I would suggest removing your Instrument Cluster and changing/checking all your bulbs.

 

Odd symptoms, the first thing I would do at this point if I was you would be buy a OBDII scanner and see what codes it's throwing. Use those and it's odd behavior to point you in hopefully the right direction...

 

Thank you

 

Bubbado. Let's use logic and sound diagnostic technique to solve this.

With all due respect, the transmission fluid is not your problem. Your Toyota dealer told you Type-IV is backwardly compatible, and so did @empty_lord, who is a Toyota service employee and highly respected contributor to this forum.

From a diagnostic standpoint, as others have said: it appears you do not have a transmission problem. The AT Temp light is on because the key is in the run position, and the engine isn't running -- that's normal behavior that you haven't observed before because up until now your engine has always started.
And even if there was a transmission problem, there's no way for that to effect the running of the engine.

You have a Check Engine light on. You need to read the code(s) and find out what's going on. Either get an OBD code reader or get the codes read -- at the dealer or at the auto parts store. Armed with that knowledge, the people on this board can help you get to the bottom of this.

Post back what you find.

EDIT: A few questions for clarification to assist in diagnosis.
Following the original incident, you say the truck ran and you were able to drive home.
1) Did it run normal?
2) Was the Check Engine light on while driving?
3) Was the AT Temp light on while driving?

In its current state:
4) Does the truck reliably start and drive?
5) With the engine running, is the Check Engine light on?
6) With the engine running, is the AT Temp light on?

 

1) Yes it runs normal.
2) No. The check engine light was off.
3) No. The AT light was off.
4) Starts fine, haven't driven
5) No
6) No

This just happened last night about a 10 minute drive from my home. I drove home and parked it. I am back to work today so I haven't driven it since (took another vehicle to work). I went back out and started it several times in the driveway last night and it started and ran fine with no check engine, AT temp, or other warning lights on.

 

I read this last night but wanted to wait till this morning to respond. I too am not buying your trans fluid change was the cause of this problem. My guess, alternator or battery cables.

 

I wonder what the real problem is finally going to end up being? Reason why I stay out of ‘internet diagnostics questions’ for the most part.

So far we have:

1) Fluids (dumb hand model)

2) Light Bulbs

3) Sensors

4) Compression Checks

4.5) Battery or Alternator.

5) Lets Add More Stuff!

6) I am so confused right now because I thought the transmission overheated.