Transmission Clunk....how screw'd am I?

[mikelite80]

Well title pretty much sums it up. Have a pretty regular clunk and delay in engaging between 3rd and over-drive. Just happened yesterday, so I drove carefully home and disengaged OD once I figured out that is where it was. So how bad is this? In darn close to 20 years of driving I've never actually had a transmission problem beyond replacing a clutch. Since it's not a total failure should this be a repair thing, or just replace it with a used one? Of course I know we won't know anything for sure until it gets taken apart. Just trying to get my head around what's going on before I take it somewhere. I think I could do a straight swap but I wouldn't even attempt a repair

Thanks!

Mike

2001 4Runner

 

[keezer37]

I'd go into the "Factory Service Manuals" Sticky and look to see if there is a "Problem/Symptoms Table for your particular transmission. Mine points to speed sensor or shift solenoid valve. I do not believe either of these requires a rebuild. It requires little more than dropping the pan and valve body.
I know for my transmission (A750F), I would occasionally get a somewhat harsh engagement between 2nd and 3rd initially on winter mornings. Found that regular drain and fills works for me.
For your situation, if it were me, after reading up/familiarizing myself as best I could, I'd then visit a few shops, and listen for the guy who doesn't automatically say "rebuild/replace".
Transmissions are least understood and this lack of knowledge is taken advantage of.

No fault codes?

 

[mikelite80]

Thanks Keezer. No codes yet. Defiantly trying to get my transmission knowledge up to speed before I start taking it anywhere. After the rough engagement it runs fine in that gear, hopefully that is a good sign.