| |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Jim
Grant has been working in the automotive industry for over twenty
years. In addition, Jim is an ASE Master Technician with advanced
L/1 certification. He works as manager and technician in his
family's automotive business in New Hampshire. He writes weekly
automotive consumer columns and is editor of an automotive newsletter
that is circulated throughout North America. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
Jim Grant's Tech Tips
‘88 Toyota
Pick-up, Automatic Transmission Problem
Q: My ‘88 Toyota Pickup’s automatic transmission slips when
I take off from a dead stop sometimes, but not all the time. Could this
be fixed with a transmission flush or adjustment, or are we talking a
new transmission?. Also are rebuilt transmissions as good as new? Or is
it better to go with new for longevity....Thanks Mark
A: Did
you check the level and condition of the automatic transmission oil? I
trust that if the oil level was down you corrected it. In all practicality
the only window one has to determine transmission oil condition is at
the dip stick. The eyes and nose are the tools one uses. The transmission
oil should be pink to a light shade of brown in color and have a strong
petroleum smell. If the transmission oil looks more like used motor oil
or smells like a burnt greasy grilled cheese sandwich, then the transmission
is in need of service. It is important to realize that servicing (replacing
the filter and/or flushing the oil) a transmission will not correct or
repair internal transmission damage. If the oil is bad all you can do
is service the transmission and hope for the best. In the event you do
have to replace the transmission the cost of a new one, if it can be acquired,
will easily exceed the market value of your vehicle. A rebuilt transmission
is pushing it as well. But, if you insist on ‘like new’ factory parts
then check with Toyota. They have a factory rebuilt transmission program.
We’ve installed their transmissions and have good luck with them.
|
|
|
